Environment & Community
Pazala is committed to protecting the planet, preserving nature, and supporting community. Some projects are shown below.
Santa venetia commons
In January 2026 the San Rafael City Schools accepted Pazala's offer to purchase a 10 acre property on Gallinas Creek. Pazala plans to create a community open recreation space including a park, nature trail, community gardens, and picnic plaza along with solar shade structures to generate electricity. Pazala has partnered with another non-profit, Santa Venetia Community Center, who proposes to raise funds for, design, build, and operate a community center building on the property. The former school building, which has been unused for 50 years, is on a scenic 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 also hopes to incorporate on-site affordable housing for musicians.
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
.jpeg)
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.
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.