Our farm will receive more water from surrounding ponds and we should see a measurable reduction in water pumped from the aquifer.

The frog song during the winter months has been a good measure of the health of our ecosystem and the success of our efforts. Similarly, the sighting of ducks and other birds that stop in our valley on their migratory paths are good indicators.

We have been tracking the birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals in our valley, and our work should result in a visible increase in biodiversity.

The slower flow of water will extend the seasonal ponds in our valley so that they survive during the dry seasons. A measure of success would be to see more fish that migrate from the creek into the ponds.

We have been working with the Atascadero Green Valley Watershed Council, and their feedback on our progress in restoring and improving the watershed is one of our measures of success.