South Natomas is a residential neighborhood located just northwest of downtown Sacramento, within the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District. The community is home to a diverse population, including significant Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Black, and White residents, and features a mix of working-class and middle-income households. Many residents do not speak English at home, reflecting the area’s cultural diversity.

Air quality in South Natomas is a persistent concern, driven by pollution from nearby freeways, heavy vehicle traffic, and local industrial activities. The Sacramento region ranks among the worst in the nation for ozone pollution, and South Natomas residents experience elevated risks of asthma, respiratory illness, and other pollution-related health impacts3. Community members are especially concerned about emissions from highways, construction dust, and small businesses, as well as the vulnerability of sensitive groups like children and seniors.

The district has teamed up with Aclima and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to launch a community air monitoring project guiding future actions as a part of SMMI. Using Aclima’s advanced sensors, the project collects detailed, block-by-block data on air quality throughout the community. This provides residents with clear information about local pollution and helps guide actions to improve air quality, focusing on the areas and people most affected.

In April 2025, South Natomas residents and stakeholders gathered at the Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center to discuss these air quality challenges and help guide local air monitoring and pollution reduction strategies