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.
March 2026
First Nature Notes: Spring Energy and Community at the Ranch
Dear Friends of First Nature Foundation,
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We have been thinking about all our friends up north and hope you’re staying warm after such a long, harsh winter. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.
Here in Florida, it certainly feels like spring recently with temperatures in the mid-80s, southern oaks dressed in tender, shiny new leaves, and pastures lush enough that our horses are happily grazing on grass instead of hay. Of course, that also comes with the advent of pollen season, so don’t forget the tissues and allergy relief!
It’s the perfect weather to join us for our Ladies Afternoon Tea Fundraiser in April, a delightful way to enjoy the season, connect with friends, and relax at the ranch. More details are below!
Please plan to join us for our all-new Ladies Afternoon Tea Fundraiser on Sunday, April 19th from 1-4pm, an elegant gathering designed to bring women together for connection, conversation, and community. Guests will enjoy a charming tea service with ample sweet and savory bites, a hands-on floral design experience, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere filled with garden-party elegance. This special afternoon benefits Horses Healing Hearts, our equine-assisted program that helps women who have experienced trauma build emotional resilience, confidence, and healing through meaningful time with our herd out in nature. Your presence not only promises a beautiful and memorable experience, but also supports more women in accessing the life-changing power of horses and nature.
Our search for local board members continues! Having board members who live nearby and are connected to the community is critical for a nonprofit like ours. Your insights, relationships, and perspective help guide decisions, expand our reach, and create meaningful impact. If you, or someone you know, can dedicate just one or two hours a month, no more than that, to help us grow and strengthen our programs, we would love to hear from you. Reply to this email to learn more and take part in shaping the future of our fledgling nonprofit.
We’re excited to announce that our first ever annual First Nature Foundation Impact Report is almost finalized and about to go to the printer! We’ll share it with you soon!
In ranch news, the early weeks of March kept us on our toes, and we’re thankful for a little quieter time later this month after such a busy February and early March!
We kicked off the month by attending the Horses and Humans Research Foundation Annual Conference, right after hosting their first annual Horse Fair Day, which drew more than 100 attendees. The feedback we received about our facility, our horses, and our programs was incredibly encouraging and heartening. One longtime horseman even pulled me aside to say, “I want you to know that it’s obvious how much your horses love you.” Awwww!
A few days later, we had the honor of hosting a Horses Healing Hearts program for 911derWomen - a group of 911 dispatchers. Can you imagine what they hear every day in their professional lives and the impact it can have? During the session, we focused on self-care and practicing the art of “being without doing.” The experience was so meaningful that one attendee wrote a four-page reflection, which was published in the Florida APCO Newsletter. Check out the last 4 pages for the review.
That weekend we hosted the Wellness By Faith – AMADA retreat, featuring over 15 vendors and welcoming more than 100 participants. It was an energizing and inspiring event, and it gave us the confidence that we can successfully and competently host gatherings of this size in the future.
We recently celebrated the graduation of our first Horse Wisdom for Heroes cohort of 2026 and are excited to welcome the next cohort later this week.
Looking ahead, we’ll be hosting our Quarterly Nonprofit Roundtable in the next few days on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 10:30am. You don’t have to be a nonprofit leader to join, anyone interested in networking with local leaders who are making a difference in their communities is welcome.
This quarter, we’ve lined up a panel of excellent speakers covering different aspects of what it takes to run a successful nonprofit, followed by collaborative discussions where attendees brainstorm ways to support one another and strengthen community impact.
Easter is around the corner. It feels like the advent of Spring and a season of renewal and fresh beginnings! A Serenity Session would be a perfect Easter basket addition and a great 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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The Ladies Afternoon Tea mentioned earlier in the newsletter is more than just a lovely afternoon at the ranch; it’s our signature fundraising event dedicated to supporting and shining a spotlight on the Horses Healing Hearts program. This program provides equine-guided experiences for women who have experienced domestic abuse and trauma, and we are committed to offering these sessions at no cost to the organizations and participants we serve. We’ve already scheduled several program dates this year with four partner organizations, and the need continues to grow. Proceeds from the tea help cover the costs of running these sessions and allow us to reach our goal of serving more than 100 participants this year. If you’re able to attend, we would love to have you join us; and if you can’t make it, you can still support the program by giving any amount. If you’re connected to a group that might benefit from participating in Horses Healing Hearts, please feel free to reply to this email to schedule a time to explore the possibility.
If you’re planning an event, retreat, or program and are searching for a unique setting, we’d love to welcome you to First Nature Ranch. Our calendar has been quite full since the beginning of the year, and we expect that momentum to continue as more groups discover and book the ranch. If you’ve been considering hosting something here, now is a great time to reach out and explore available dates before the calendar fills further.
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If you haven’t visited yet, we’d be happy to show you around and talk through how the space might work for your event. Use the buttons below to schedule a tour. It’s a special place, and one we’re always excited to share with others who are looking for a peaceful, inspiring venue.
A note from Allyn, our Executive Director:
Spring has blossomed after a bit of a rough winter for Central Florida. It feels as if we are shaking off the last vestiges of the cold and are waking up to the verdant green of spring. It’s a lovely time to find new goals and pursuits that revitalize our mental wellness. Here at the ranch, this season always brings a renewed sense of energy and possibility as people reconnect with nature and the horses. We’re excited about the programs and events ahead and grateful to share this space with a supportive community. I hope this time of year offers you a chance to pause, reset, and enjoy the beauty that comes with a fresh start.
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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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