A CENTER FOR 21ST CENTURY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT:
Where horses and nature bring the best of leadership together for the dignity and benefit of all.
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Your Donations are Tax Deductible.
June 2025
First Nature Notes: Hot Days, Cool Moments: First Nature in Full Bloom
Dear Friends of First Nature Foundation,
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Happy Summer! Last month I mentioned that we were already hitting heat indexes over 100—and now, it’s safe to say we’ll be living in that reality daily until September. The sun at the ranch doesn’t mess around, and let’s not even get started on the humidity. Thank heavens for sunscreen!
If you’ve been to the ranch, you’ve probably noticed I’m always in long sleeves and long pants. I get asked about it a lot, but it’s not a fashion statement—it’s sun protection. It keeps the rays off my skin and (mostly) keeps the dermatologist from slicing off bits of me for biopsies.
Despite the heat, both our staff and our horses are holding up well. They’re seasoned pros when it comes to sweating through Florida summers. As always, we’re grateful for the resilience of our team—two-legged and four-legged alike.
We’re truly grateful that you’re taking the time to read our newsletter—that alone is awesome! And if you’ve ever thought about supporting us with a small monthly donation, well, that would be even more awesome. Your generosity is what makes everything we do possible.
Just $5 a month—yes, the price of a coffee—makes a real difference. It helps us cover program costs like staffing, supplies, and even refreshments, plus the ongoing care for our incredible herd of horses.
Here’s what a few teens recently said about their experience in our Horse Sense for Teens program:
"It's important to have patience. I'm a very impatient person. I have learned a lot about patience through the horses."
"I was able to create a special bond with the horses—I felt connected to them and to nature. I've learned a lot about myself. I'm discovering myself at the ranch."
Your support helps create these kinds of breakthroughs. These moments. These transformations.
And just to be transparent: I’ve never taken a paycheck from First Nature Foundation. In fact, I continue to help financially support the organization myself while we build the base of donors and sponsors needed to sustain this work long-term. I’m in it for the mission—but with your help, we can make this work even more sustainable. If you'd like to join as a monthly donor or member, you can do so [insert donation link here]. Every little bit truly helps. Thank you again for being part of our community. We couldn’t do this without you.
Make a monthly donation using the QR code. Click on your amount and then check the box to make it a recurring donation.
Speaking of programs…by the end of this month, we’ll be wrapping up our grant fulfillment for the Horse Sense for Teens program—with three sessions held just this month alone! It’s been an incredible season of growth and connection for the young people we've welcomed to the ranch.
We also recently celebrated a big milestone: the second cohort of veterans has graduated from our Horse Wisdom for Heroes program so far this year. It’s an honor to walk alongside these veterans as they reconnect with themselves and others through our work with the horses.
In addition to our core programs, we’ve welcomed visitors for several ranch tours and hosted a handful of special events, including the launch of a brand-new Connect & Co-Create networking event—a wonderful initiative led by the newest member of our foundation staff.
Although our beloved former Community Outreach Director, Kristina Bozanich, recently moved away, we’re delighted to share some exciting news. We’ve been fortunate to welcome incredible new talent into the role with the addition of Victoria Dumé.
Victoria is a mindset and transformation coach, and some of you may recognize her from the retreats she’s led here at the ranch. When the position opened up, she was not only interested—she was eager to jump in. And she has truly hit the ground running. In just a short time, she’s already scheduled a number of ranch tours with prospective clients, donors, and sponsors.
“I was drawn to the role at First Nature Foundation because it aligns so deeply with the work I’ve already been doing—building community, creating transformative experiences, and helping people reconnect with themselves and each other. The unique blend of nature, horses, and leadership development felt like a natural extension of my purpose. I’m most excited to help expand the impact of these programs and create more meaningful opportunities for individuals, organizations, and communities to grow, heal, and lead together.”
We’re so excited to have Victoria on the team and can’t wait to see the connections and impact that will grow from her enthusiasm.
If you—or someone you care about—are carrying a lot of stress lately and could use a reset, consider gifting a Serenity Session at the ranch. It’s a sweet, soul-soothing experience designed to bring calm, connection, and a breath of peace. During your session, you’ll meet our gentle herd and then spend a quiet, supervised hour with the horse of your choice. Whether you're grooming, feeding, simply being present, or soaking in the stillness of the pasture, arena, or stall, the goal is simple: unwind, reconnect, and let the weight of the world ease up a bit.
Booking early gives you the best chance to choose your ideal date and time—so if this sounds like something you or a loved one needs, we’d love to welcome you.
Book your Serenity Session here.
We’re now booking programs, events, and retreats for this fall and winter!
If you’ve been thinking about bringing your group out to the ranch, now’s the perfect time to start the conversation. Whether you’re interested in a customized program, a special event, or a restorative retreat, we’d love to help create something meaningful and transformative for your group.
Our facility is first class, our prices are reasonable, and the experience—well, it’s one your group won’t forget.
To explore possibilities, simply reply to this email or reach out directly to me at kerul@firstnaturefoundation.org. I’d be happy to connect and chat about ideas!
A note from Allyn, our Executive Director:
As Executive Director of First Nature Foundation, I get a front-row seat to the quiet moments of transformation that happen here all the time. A teen who finally exhales and lets their guard while setting boundaries with a horse. A veteran who rediscovers trust, one quiet breath at a time. A visitor who simply stands still and feels stillness again—for the first time in a long time.
These moments don’t happen by accident. They are made possible by thoughtful programming, dedicated staff, a well-loved herd, and, most importantly, by the generosity of people who believe in what we do.
If you're one of those people—someone who feels a spark when you hear about our mission, who believes in healing, connection, and growth through nature and horses—I invite you to walk alongside us. There are so many ways to support this work. A one-time donation. A small monthly membership. Booking a retreat, sponsoring a program, or simply sharing our story with someone who might need it. Every bit helps. Every gesture counts. And together, we can keep creating space for healing, discovery, and belonging.
You can learn more, donate, or get involved at www.firstnaturefoundation.org. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
From Our Hearts 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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