There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.”

Linda Hogan, Chickasaw poet, BEI Emeritus Fellow, novelist, essayist, and environmentalist

Our Mission

Friends of the Forest is more than just an organization; we are a sanctuary for the soul. Our mission is both simple and profound: integrating nature into wellness initiatives tailored for women. Our programs foster harmony with nature, physical well-being, and mental tranquility, helping women nurture a healing reconnection with the natural world. With every leaf, twig, wave, and tide, we’re building a bridge to reconnect women to the essence of the wild.

In a world that moves at the speed of screens, we are the gentle pause in the chorus of life’s hustle, the soft whisper of the wind inviting you to return to Mother Earth’s nurturing bosom. Our mission resonates through each of our offerings—from tranquil walks in emerald woods to the wise tales told by the equines we partner with, and the soothing rhythms of the ocean’s waves. At Friends of the Forest, we craft a safe space where creativity and connection flow as freely as the rivers, lakes, and oceans, and personal growth is as certain as the ebb and flow of the tides.

Through mindfulness, reflection, and the celebration of nature's cycles—from the rustling leaves of the trees to the vast expanse of the sea—we guide women to a place where they truly belong—one of peace, connection, and collective well-being. We understand that in healing our bond with nature, whether through the grounding energy of the forest or the calming embrace of the ocean, we rediscover the path to heal ourselves.

By embracing both the stillness of the earth and the movement of the water, we invite women to reconnect with their innate wisdom, to heal on every level, and to flow with the rhythm of the natural world.

Wild blessings,

Kathleen Lowe
Founder & President
Friends of the Forest

How We Use Your Donations

The Rebloom Initiative© is a Friends of the Forest initiative offering women who have completed their cancer treatment the opportunity to reclaim their lives, renew their bodies, and experience healing connections with other women through restorative nature-based wellness workshops and retreats.

This program is offered on a sliding scale, ensuring no one is turned away due to lack of funds. This commitment is made possible by the generosity of our donors. We are incredibly grateful for the support we receive from individuals who share our passion for helping women cancer survivors reclaim their lives. Your donations enable us to continue providing this vital program free or at an affordable cost for those in need.

We receive no state or federal funding for our work. We are entirely supported by individual donations.

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Our Values

Reconnect Women with Their True Nature
Celebrate the Beauty of Wild Places
Embrace Transparency in All Our Actions

Rooted in Purpose, Guided by Heart

Our Leadership Circle

In the fall of 2021, I stood at the edge of a forest as autumn unfolded in vibrant hues around me. The scent of earth and pine lingered in the air, and in that quiet moment, something shifted. I felt deeply held by the land—seen, grounded, and alive in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. It was there, among the whispering trees and the rhythm of the wild, that I came home to myself—and to a calling.

That moment became the seed from which Friends of the Forest began to grow. I envisioned a space where women could return to their inner wisdom through meaningful connection with the natural world. A place where healing wasn’t hurried, where presence mattered, and where nature wasn’t something outside of us, but a part of us.

Bringing this vision to life has been a journey held by an extraordinary circle of women. At the heart of this organization is a leadership team rooted in trust, mutual respect, and shared purpose. We come with diverse strengths, but we’re united by a common devotion: to offer women pathways to wellness that are deeply entwined with the earth’s rhythms.

Together, we walk forward with clarity and care—guided not only by strategy, but by the quiet wisdom of nature herself. In every step, we strive to embody the same harmony we hope to inspire in others: grounded, graceful, and in flow with something greater.