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.
February 2026
First Nature Notes: Ranch Updates- Healing, Learning, and Leading
Dear Friends of First Nature Foundation,
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It’s going to reach 86 degrees here this afternoon — and after what we experienced just a few weeks ago, I’m not complaining.
Believe it or not, temperatures dipped to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill of 15. For Florida, that’s no small thing. Some of our more tender plantings at the ranch took a hard hit because of frostbite, and we’re still waiting to see what will recover as the days warm and lengthen.
The horses, thankfully, weathered the freeze beautifully. With cozy blankets, access to walled shelters to block the wind, plenty of hay to keep their internal “engines” running warm, and a little molasses in their water to encourage hydration, they handled the cold like the resilient partners they are.
We did have one more cold-spell this last weekend into the week, and we’re hoping it will be our final dip below 40 degrees this winter. As always, ranch life keeps us adaptable, we’re grateful for the warmth when it comes and prepared when it doesn’t.
This year, our big focus is the Horses Healing Hearts program — both building partnerships with organizations to serve their audiences and raising the funds needed to offer it at no cost to these deserving women.
At the ranch, we have witnessed firsthand how our horses, alongside the quiet strength of the natural setting, help facilitate healing for women who have experienced domestic abuse and trauma. Horses create a non-judgmental, non-verbal space where participants can begin rebuilding trust with themselves and others. In their presence, women practice mindfulness, rediscover hope, and regain a sense of safety and stability.
We have already secured half a dozen program dates with four different partner organizations, and with that momentum, we are officially launching our annual fundraiser to cover this year’s program costs.
Our goal is to serve more than 100 participants this calendar year. Each session takes place in a safe, supportive environment under the guidance of an experienced, credentialed coach. Activities may include grooming, leading, and other hands-on experiences with the horses, all thoughtfully designed around the specific needs and goals of each group.
If you have a group you would like to schedule for one or more sessions, we would love to connect. Simply reply to this email to start the conversation.
In ranch event news, we were excited to host the Equine Experiential Education Association Demo Day last Saturday, February 21. As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, four of our First Nature Foundation staff members and I enrolled in their level 1 certification program, which began earlier this winter, and the ranch will be hosting a certification 5-Day Capstone later this year.
The Demo Day offered participants hands-on interaction, guided experiences, and opportunities to explore practical applications for coaching, education, and team development. It was also a wonderful time to build connections within the community alongside others engaged in this meaningful and impactful work. We really enjoyed our time and cannot wait to welcome the team from E3A back later this year!
This Friday brings another exciting opportunity at the ranch as we host the Horses and Humans Research Foundation Inaugural Horse Fair Day.
Attendees include professionals working in equine therapy, coaching, and learning, as well as those focused on horse welfare. Barn owners, dedicated horse enthusiasts, researchers, and other experts in the field will also be joining us. It’s a dynamic gathering of people who share a passion for horses and a commitment to deepening the quality of horse–human relationships.
The event features an outstanding lineup of presenters and is designed to equip participants with practical, research-based insights they can bring back to their own barns and programs. The goal is simple but powerful: to explore the possibilities that emerge when we partner with healthy, happy horses built on a foundation of strong mutual trust.
Coming up on March 7, we’re excited to host a retreat called Wellness by Faith – Amada. If you’re passionate about wellness, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Our 2026 calendar is already filling up with new programs and bookings to rent our beautiful facility. If you’re planning an event, retreat, or program, now is the perfect time to reserve your dates before the calendar fills.
If you haven’t had a chance to visit yet, we’d love to show you around First Nature Ranch. Use the buttons below to schedule a tour and see our space for yourself. Our facility is stunning (and yes, we do say so ourselves. But it’s really what everyone who visits tells us!) and our rental rates are very reasonable.
We’re excited to invite you back to First Nature Ranch for our First Quarter Nonprofit & Community Leaders Roundtable on March 30th at 10:30am.
Your presence at our previous gathering helped spark meaningful conversations, new connections, and collaborative momentum, and we would love to continue building on that together.
This roundtable is an intentional space for nonprofit leaders, board members, advocates, businesses, and community impact partners. We believe some of the most powerful ideas are born when leaders gather around the same table with openness and shared purpose.
New This Quarter: Expert Panel Conversation
We’re expanding the experience with an expert panel featuring leaders from diverse fields who will share practical insights, tools, and strategies to support the growth and sustainability of nonprofit and community organizations. Our goal is to provide tangible value you can bring back to your teams whether in leadership, funding, programming, operations, or community engagement.
We are looking for more local board members!
Do you find our work inspiring and believe you have skills, connections, or resources that could help us grow? We’re seeking individuals who can dedicate just an hour or two each month (no more, we promise!) to help take our little nonprofit to the next level.
If this sounds like you, send us a message or reply to this email to get the ball rolling and learn more!
Spring is almost here, a season of renewal and fresh beginnings! Could a Serenity Session be the perfect way to refresh yourself or treat a loved one?
These sessions offer a delightful, relaxing, and rejuvenating hour with one of our gentle horses, guided by a caring coach. Booking early lets you choose the date and time that works best, making it a thoughtful gift or a personal reset this spring.
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From Our Herd to Yours,
Kerul and Crew
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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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