A CENTER FOR 21ST CENTURY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT:
Where horses and nature bring the best of leadership together for the dignity and benefit of all.
First Nature Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your gift is tax-deductible and directly supports healing, leadership, and growth.
August 2026
First Nature Notes: A Little Nature Goes a Long Way
Dear Friends of First Nature Foundation,
We hope you’re staying cool, wherever you are! It has been an especially hot summer here in Florida, and August seems determined to keep the heat going with a vengeance. We’re all looking forward to October, when temperatures will begin to retreat (hopefully!) and bring some much-needed relief to our staff, volunteers, and especially the horses, who don’t have the option of escaping into air conditioning. Until then, we’ll keep watching the weather, staying hydrated, and making sure everyone at the ranch stays as comfortable as possible.
Summer has continued its busier-than-usual trend, and we’re also seeing a steady stream of inquiries and bookings for fall and winter events and programming. Just yesterday, one of our event clients reached out about adding programming to their plans, while we also received the exciting news that a Women’s Veterans event is a go for this fall, with funding already in place.
We’re especially pleased to share that we’ve received a deposit from the Horses and Humans Research Foundation for three days of programming at the ranch next February. They held their first-ever pre-conference Horse Fair Day with us this past February, so we’re honored that they’ve chosen to return for an expanded event. It’s exciting to see organizations that experience the ranch coming back with new ideas and opportunities to collaborate.
This weekend, we wrapped up our first six-session Horses Healing Hearts cohort with STEPS (Specialized Treatment, Education, and Prevention Services), while also welcoming Orlando Health Cancer Institute’s St. Cloud patients and caregivers for their monthly Horses Healing Hearts session.
Last week, we hosted The Transition House’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) team for a Horseplay for Leaders program, and we’re now well into our third Horse Wisdom for Heroes cohort of the year.
It’s been an especially rewarding season of programming, with opportunities to serve a wide range of individuals and organizations in our community. Here’s some of the feedback we’ve received from participants along the way:
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“What I've taken away that I can apply to life is the importance and effect cheering on the people you love has. Just how much a little encouragement and support can influence someone or somethings behavior.”
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“Goldi taught me to be firm but gentle. To hold my ground. She was determined in having her way. I felt my fear but I was able to maintain. My heart is very open and so grateful.”
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“What this experience did for me today is really filled me with joy and trust. Bathing the horses was an amazing experience. Sharing heart energy with a horse is a feeling that is pure love and unexplainable in the limited vocabulary in words.”
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“It gave me a better understanding of how I as an individual carry myself and interact on a daily basis with others. Also made me aware of little behavior that can hinder or promote my personal growth.”
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“I'm more aware of self-sabotaging behaviors, and am now working more on my self-doubt.”
We’re honored to be able to offer these programs to our community, and in most cases, we’ve been able to do so without charging the participating organizations or their clients. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to accessing these experiences, but making that possible means we need the support of our community to help cover the costs.
Between caring for our horses, maintaining a 26-acre facility, and delivering the programs themselves, there are significant expenses behind the scenes. At the moment, the Horses Healing Hearts programming we have scheduled for this year is still only about two-thirds funded.
Would you help us meet our $15,000 goal for this life-changing program? Every contribution helps us continue saying “yes” to organizations and individuals who could benefit from what we offer, even $5 or $20 will make it a reality.
It’s back! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 24, and join us at First Nature Ranch for an evening that brings together great food, exceptional whiskey, horses, and a whole lot of fun, all for a great cause.
Our annual Whiskey Dinner at the Ranch Fundraiser begins with a welcome cocktail and time to mingle, including the opportunity to get some unforgettable horse selfies. Then settle in for a beautifully catered three-course dinner, with a carefully selected whiskey pairing for each course. Add in a silent auction, a few surprises, and plenty of good conversation, and you have the makings of one of our favorite nights of the year.
And there’s a reason we’re raising a glass for the third year. Every dollar raised helps support Horse Wisdom for Heroes, our program serving veterans through equine-facilitated learning. We launched our third cohort of veterans on Independence Day, and your participation helps make these experiences possible.
Whether you’re a serious whiskey enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable evening somewhere a little different, we hope you’ll join us. Come for the whiskey and the amazing food. Stay for the veterans and the mission.
Are you involved with a local nonprofit, looking to build more collaborations, or simply interested in becoming more engaged in our local community? Join us at First Nature Ranch on Monday, September 28 from 10:30am–12:30pm for our next Nonprofit & Community Leaders Roundtable.
This quarter, we’re putting fundraising in the spotlight. We’ll have some great speakers sharing practical strategies, best practices, and insider tips to help organizations think differently about raising support and building sustainable funding.
And you don’t have to be a nonprofit leader to attend. If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, community advocate, or simply someone who wants to connect with others doing good work locally, you’re welcome at the table.
If you’ve been following our newsletter the last few months, you’ve probably noticed a recurring theme: First Nature Ranch is getting busy! Interest in renting the ranch for events and retreats continues to grow, while our own programming calendar is filling with new dates and partnerships. Such exciting growth for us!
If you’re considering a venue for an upcoming event, retreat, workshop, or program, we encourage you to reach out early while there are still dates available. And if you haven’t experienced the ranch for yourself, we’d love to show you around. Our one-hour tours have been filling up, too, but we’re always happy to find a time that works.
Come see the space, meet the horses, and imagine what your event could look like here. Reply to this email or click the links to schedule a tour or conversation.
A note on nervous system regulation from Allyn, our Executive Director:
One of the things we talk about often at the ranch is that you don’t have to be standing beside a horse to benefit from what nature can offer your nervous system. While I’d love for everyone to be able to spend time here with our horses, the reality is that most of us have to navigate stress during every day of an ordinary life, often when a trip to the ranch simply isn’t possible.
The good news is that you can use small moments of nature almost anywhere to help your body shift out of the hustle mode. Step outside and notice five things you can see, four things you can hear, or the feeling of the air on your skin. Look out of the window for a few moments instead of your phone. Watch the clouds and pretend they’re your thoughts just floating by. Sit beneath a tree, tend a garden, walk barefoot in the grass, or take a slow walk without headphones. Even watching birds, listening to rain, or noticing the movement of leaves can give your attention something outside of yourself to focus on.
You can also pair these moments with slower breathing. Try making your exhale a little longer than your inhale, without forcing it. Let your shoulders drop. Unclench your jaw. Notice where your feet are making contact with the ground. Go through a brief and gentle body scan. These are small things, but they are practical ways to allow your body to slow down.
And perhaps most importantly, try not to wait until you’re completely overwhelmed to do them. Nervous system regulation works best as a regular practice, not an emergency response. A few minutes of intentional connection with the natural world throughout your day or week can become a small but meaningful way to build resilience before you need it.
You don’t need a 26-acre ranch, a horse, or even a particularly spectacular view. Start with whatever piece of nature is available to you. Sometimes the most accessible reset is right outside the window.
From Our Herd to Yours,
Kerul and Crew
First Nature Ranch / First Nature Foundation
“Where the past, present, and future of leadership come together for the dignity and benefit of all.”
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