When we first cleared Quinta Picapau, hidden watercourses revealed themselves — and revealed that rainfall was leaving almost as quickly as it arrived. Intercepting, slowing and spreading that water became our first priority.
Water storage does not begin with a tank. It begins with soil. Healthy structure, roots, organic matter and biological activity can all increase the landscape's ability to intercept and retain rainfall.
The exceptionally wet winter of 2026 reinforced an important lesson: once soil is saturated, additional water must have somewhere safe to go. Good stewardship means designing for both retention and safe overflow.