Climate Justice
Our climate justice programs focus on the issues that impact our community most, like air quality, flooding and the loss of our wetlands. The Canal is disproportionately affected by climate events because of its location on a landfilled section of the Bay, limited entry and exit points, and surrounding industrial areas that contribute to poor air quality. Our programs were developed to address these concerns head-on, centering the knowledge, leadership, and needs of our community.
Current Initiatives & Projects
Air Quality
Building community capacity for an improved environment
Our air quality work focuses on environmental health in the Canal by building community-driven strategies for cleaner, safer air. We partner with community leaders to co-design workshops and trainings that help people learn about environmental justice and build advocacy skills related to air quality, waste management, and environmental stewardship.
sponsored by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District James Cary Smith Community Grant Program
Canal Wetlands
Implementing community science and capacity building to protect local wetlands
This project uses community science to monitor our wetlands and create job pathways for people in the Canal District, ensuring community voices are at the center of our work. At the same time, it helps raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and how they’re part of building a stronger, more resilient shoreline community.
Sponsored by SF Estuary Wetlands Regional Monitoring Program
Water Ambassadors
Connecting communities to the people, places, and systems that protect our water
The Water Ambassadors program invites community members to learn directly from the water district about the systems, landscapes, and workers that keep our water safe and flowing. Participants visit important local water sites, build knowledge about conservation and stewardship, and share what they learn with their communities. The program helps ensure that water education is not only technical, but rooted in community trust, access, and shared care for our local environment.
Sponsored by Marin Municipal Water District
Bringing community members, research institutions and local representatives together to address the impacts of climate change
The Canal Sea Level working group is a fundamental space of meeting among different stakeholders involved in Climate Justice in San Rafael and Marin County.
Our Sea Level Rise Working Group brings together concerned community members, representatives from civil society sectors, researchers, institutions and front line impacted communities to address the impacts of climate change.