Environment & Community

Pazala is committed to protecting the planet, preserving nature, and supporting community. Some projects are shown below.
Santa venetia commons
Pazala has partnered with another non-profit, Santa Venetia Community Center, and the Santa Venetia Neighborhood Association in a proposal to purchase surplus property from San Rafael City Schools (SRCS) to be used for a community center and open space. Pazala and SRCS are now formally engaged in negotiations regarding the purchase of the MacPhail property. The confidential negotiations are scheduled to reach conclusion by September 15, 2024. The former school building, which has been unused for many decades, is on property that has served as a wildlife refuge containing important freshwater wetland ponds and borders the brackish Las Gallinas Creek and Santa Venetia Marsh Preserve. The property has also served as a defacto park for decades as neighbors gather there for walks, dog runs, softball, tai chi, kite flying, picnics, and watching the sun set over the water. Pazala proposes to purchase the property to create a park, community gardens, and picnic plaza along with solar shade structures to generate electricity for the facility, while the Santa Venetia Community Center group proposes to raise funds for, design, build and operate a community center building on the property. Large groups of neighbors have united and shown up at school board meetings with enthusiastic support for the plan.
Heron Hill
Photos by Steve Fisch
In 2014 Pazala cofounder Jack West raised funds and worked with the Santa Venetia Neighborhood Association, Marin County Open Space District, the Marin County Supervisor, Audubon Society and other agencies to preserve Heron Hill in San Rafael as open space. The property borders China Camp State Park, has panoramic views of San Pablo Bay, has a freshwater pond important for wildlife, and is home to great blue heron rookeries. The property features trails for hiking and mountain biking.
Buck's Landing
Photo by Marin County Parks
In 2020 Pazala again raised funds and worked with Marin County Parks, the Marin County Supervisor, CA Coastal Commission, and other agencies to preserve Buck's Landing on Gallinas Creek and San Pablo Bay in San Rafael as a County park. The park contains more than 6 acres of wetland habitat, is home to a number of endangered species, and provides free community access to the waterfront, picnic area, and kayak/canoe/paddleboard launch. The park provides a rest stop on the Bay Water Trail route.
Support for other projects
Pazala donates to other environmental & community-building projects such as:
Huukuiko, Inc., organized tribal acquisition of Coastal Tribal Miwok land in Novato CA.As You Sow, empowering corporate change through shareholder advocacy.Vote Solar, advocating for clean solar energy.Friends of China Camp, protecting and maintaining our local state park.GivePower, bringing solar power and clean water where urgently needed.Rainforest Action Network, protecting essential rain forests and rain forest communities.Marine Mammal Center, supporting marine mammals and their habitats.Earth Island Institute, environmental justice and fiscal sponsorship.Mission Edge, support & fiscal sponsorship for non-profits & small business.
Grant applications & donations
All Pazala funding and granting is internal and is currently fully subscribed. Pazala does not accept applications for grants or donations but encourages you to donate directly to the projects on their websites.
We invite you to learn more about us and to explore our collaborations in Art & Music and Education & Humanity.