June 1 – August 30: FONA will keep the Arboretum open until 8 PM*
EVENING HOURS ALL SUMMER LONG
*Excludes June 7, June 14, June 21
FONA & THE ARBORETUM
Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) was founded in 1982 as an independent 501(c)(3). FONA serves as the primary private partner of the U.S National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. We preserve and enhance this vibrant public space and facilitate experiential programs that instill a love of plants, nature, and the outdoors in all who visit the Arboretum. We also promote the overarching research and education mission of the Arboretum.
Past Accomplishments
We were instrumental in bringing the Capitol Columns to the Arboretum in the early ’90s. We funded the Flowering Tree Walk surrounding the meadow so all people can enjoy its beauty regardless of ability. Our volunteers planted over 30,000 native plants along the Springhouse Run creek to improve the Anacostia River’s water quality.
Current Work
Our Washington Youth Garden is the Arboretum’s largest community outreach program. Revenue from our venue rental program funds the Arboretum Director’s Fund which pays for things like consultants, supplies, and maintenance projects. Our plant sales and seasonal festivals support our mission and connect visitors to the Arboretum.
Future Plans
We developed a new Core Master Plan that provides a blueprint for future projects around the Arboretum. We invest in the future of horticulture by funding internships that support the collections. Our Meyer Kidder Fellows will increase the Arboretum’s research capacity and connect the Arboretum with world-class post-doctoral researchers.
Donate to Join
Make a donation of any amount to become a FONA member. Or give monthly to become a Sustaining Member and support our work all year long!
Donate to Renew
Make a one-time contribution of any amount to renew your FONA membership. Or give monthly to become a Sustaining Member and support our work all year long!
David Fairchild Society
A passionate community of supporters with membership starting at $1,200.
Other Ways to Support
Support FONA through securities, donor-advised funds, planned giving, bench donations, and more.
SUMMER EVENING HOURS
We’ve heard you. You want the chance to visit the National Arboretum after a long day at work. We’re making it happen all summer long! Thanks to FONA and the generosity of our supporters, the U.S. National Arboretum will stay open until 8 PM from June 1st through August 30th.*
This extended access is part of the growing public-private partnership between FONA and the National Arboretum. Summer evening hours are part of FONA’s mission to ensure the Arboretum’s gardens and collections are accessible to the public, particularly the local community, and to connect people with nature. By taking on an enhanced role with events, programs, communications, fundraising, and more, FONA enables the Arboretum to focus on what it does best: horticultural research and plant conservation.
Dates & Times
- The Arboretum grounds will stay open until 8 PM every day from June 1st through August 30th.*
- Last admittance onto the grounds is at 7:30 PM.
- * Current evening hours exclusions include June 7, June 14, and June 21. Additional dates may apply at the National Arboretum’s discretion.
Gates & Access
- The R Street entrance will be open from 8 AM to 8 PM every day of the week. Use this address for entry/exit: 2400 R Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
- The New York Avenue entrance will close at 2 PM on weekdays.
- Parking is free at the National Arboretum.
- The Arboretum is not located on a Metro rail line, but is near Union Station. From there, you can take a bus, rideshare, or bike to the Arboretum.
- Capital Bikeshare has a hub outside the R Street entrance for bike rentals.
Facilities
- View and download a digital map of the National Arboretum.
- The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum closes at 4:00 PM daily.
- The Visitor Center closes at 4:30 PM daily.
- After 4:30 PM, restrooms and water fountains are available at Arbor House, the Grove parking lot, and the Asian Collections parking lot.
- After 4:30 PM, vending machines are available at Arbor House.
- On many Fridays from 5 PM to 7:30 PM, food trucks will sell food at the Arboretum. View our calendar to see the vendor lineup, or apply to be a food vendor.
- If security assistance is needed, call the Arboretum Security at (202) 655-7264.
Support Experiences Like These
FONA members make experiences like summer evening hours happen at the National Arboretum! Help FONA continue to provide free experiences like these for many years to come. Donate any amount to FONA and you’ll automatically join our dedicated member community.
If you’re already a member — thank you! Please consider making an additional gift to support experiences like summer evening hours and renew your membership early.
Become a Summer Evening Sponsor
Become a Summer Evening Sponsor and support extended evening hours! If you have a special day coming up or want to give a unique gift, sponsor one night of evening hours for $500 and have the whole night dedicated just to you. Or support these experiences all summer long at the $1,000+ levels and get noticed as a business or organization that is committed to green space and a vibrant D.C. community.
Become a Summer Sponsor at the $500 level. Or email donations@fona.org to learn more about sponsoring at the $1,000+ levels.
AWARD-WINNING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
With a focus on serving under-resourced communities, FONA nurtures curious minds and healthy bodies by connecting youth to food, the land, and each other. Our youth education programs take place at Washington Youth Garden on the grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum and in partner schools across Washington, DC. They work with DC educators to create strong, sustainable school garden programs and connect students to garden education. Our programs also provide year-round employment opportunities and green career paths for DC high school students.
STAY IN THE KNOW
FONA’s publications and newsletters share the story of the U.S. National Arboretum and FONA with the world. Our FONA Field Notes newsletter is just one of the ways we tell this story. This award-winning weekly email newsletter that shares updates and insights about the U.S. National Arboretum, Friends of the National Arboretum, and the Washington Youth Garden. Sign up to receive FONA Field Notes in your inbox. See our Publications & Media page to see a full archive of all of our publications.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Forest Bathing
Other Activities
RECENT SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
Friends of the National Arboretum Instagram
FONA hosted a barbecue today to show our appreciation for all that the National Arboretum staff do. They work incredibly hard to keep the Arboretum looking beautiful and conduct important plant research. Craven Rand, FONA’s Executive Director, and friends manned three smokers overnight. They cooked over 100 pounds of pork, beef, turkey, chicken, vegetables, and more. Arboretum and FONA staff shared homemade sides and desserts, too. Thank you for all you do, Arboretum team!! We are blown away every day by your dedication to the National Arboretum and its mission! . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dmv #horticulture #arboretum #nonprofit #gratitude
This Friday's summer evening hours (June 6th) are sponsored by an anonymous donor in honor of the U.S. National Arboretum staff. This sponsor wants to share their gratitude for all of the Arboretum's staff's hard work ❤️ Thank you to this anonymous donor for their support of FONA and the National Arboretum! This sponsorship coincides with a staff appreciation barbecue that FONA will host for Arboretum staff 🥳 Become a Summer Evening Sponsor and join our growing list of people, businesses, and organizations supporting extended evening hours at the Arboretum. It's a great way to recognize a special day, give a unique gift, or get recognized as a business that is committed to green space and a vibrant D.C. community. Link in bio to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, or become a sponsor at the $500 level today. . . . #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #dc #dmv #dcevents #dmvevents #familyfriendly #dogfriendly #arboretum #free #freeevents #eveninghours #nonprofit #summer #dcsummer #arboretum #horticulture
Have you heard the news?! FONA will keep the National Arboretum open until 8 PM every day from June 1st through August 30th!* Scroll through the images to learn more about visiting during summer evening hours. Visit www.FONA.org (link in bio) for the latest updates. We know how important this is for our community — for working families, professionals, and others who may not be able to come to the Arboretum during the day. This is part of FONA's mission to ensure the Arboretum’s gardens and collections are accessible to the public, particularly the local community, and to connect people with nature. FONA members make experiences like these possible — thank you! Thank you for your patience over the next few weeks as we implement these big changes at the National Arboretum. We welcome your feedback as we roll this initiative out this summer. * Current evening hours exclusions include June 7, June 14, and June 21. Additional dates may apply at the National Arboretum’s discretion. . . . #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #capitolcolumns #dc #dmv #dcevents #dmvevents #familyfriendly #dogfriendly #igdc #arboretum #free #freeevents
We’ve heard you. You want the chance to visit the National Arboretum after a long day at work. We’re making it happen all summer long! Thanks to FONA and the generosity of our supporters, the U.S. National Arboretum will stay open until 8 PM from June 1st through August 30th.* Visit www.FONA.org (link in bio) to learn more and for the latest updates about summer evening hours at the National Arboretum. Thank you for your patience over the next few weeks as we work to implement these big changes at the National Arboretum. * Current evening hours exclusions include June 7, June 14, and June 21. Additional dates may apply at the National Arboretum’s discretion. . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #capitolcolumns #dc #dmv #dcevents #dmvevents #familyfriendly #dogfriendly #igdc #arboretum #free #freeevents
Washington Youth Garden Instagram
Families, join us for a container gardening workshop on Saturday, May 10th and learn how to container garden! Together, we'll learn step-by-step how to grow fresh herbs or veggies in pots, right in your home. Come out to the Washington Youth Garden from 1 PM to 3:30 PM and have some fun! Link in bio to register. . . . @fonarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #familyfriendly #dcevent #kidfriendly #nature #naturewalk #dmv #dmvevent #arboretum #washingtonyouthgarden
Calling all families! Join us on a guided Nature Walk on Saturday, April 12th in the Washington Youth Garden. This is a free and enriching outdoor experience where you and your family can breathe, explore, and unwind together. Along the way, you'll learn fun, hands-on activities that you can take with you to explore on your own. Come out and have some fun!! Link in bio to register. . . . @fonarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #familyfriendly #dcevent #kidfriendly #nature #naturewalk #dmv #dmvevent #arboretum #washingtonyouthgarden
Applications for the annual Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching are now open! This is a four-day training for D.C. educators from July 15th to 18th. Participants will learn from fellow garden educators about outdoor group management techniques, standards-aligned activities, how to sustain garden programs, and more. All participants will receive a stipend (amount contingent upon final funding). Applications received by April 2nd will receive a notification of acceptance by April 11th. Applications received after April 2nd will be notified of acceptance on a rolling basis until full. Click here to learn more and apply: https://forms.gle/FSrY3pD37HsdFaJs6
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Spring into School Gardening event last weekend! It was a huge success and a great way to kick off spring! Teachers came from across the District to pick up free garden supplies, learn how to plant strawberries and prepare garden beds, and connect with one another. One teacher shared they learned through this event that "all school gardening does not have to look the same." Each school garden has different strengths and challenges to overcome. Our hope through events and programs like this one is to help teachers feel more supported in their school garden work and more connected with others doing the same throughout D.C. . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dcps #dcteachers #dcevent #teacher #dceducator #schoolgarden #schoolgardens #garden