Show your opposition to the proposed budget cut...

Sign Our Online Petition! 

This petition will be delivered to key lawmakers.

E-mail Your Congressperson!

Write to Key Lawmakers!

Download a Sample Letter and Contact Information for Key Lawmakers

* note that it is most effective to fax or e-mail lawmakers

                  stakeholder letter

                  key lawmakers contact information

  Go to 2009 Budget Fact Sheet

Go to Arboretum Crisis in the News

Sample Letter

Dear Congressperson ____________________:

We are very upset to learn that the President’s FY09 budget proposes a cut of $2 million from the U. S. National Arboretum, to be taken specifically from the Gardens Unit and the Education and Visitors Services Unit, the two programs at the Arboretum that reach out to and serve the general public.

The base budget for those two units is just under $5 million.  Of that amount, almost $2 million represents overhead such as security, maintenance, utilities, a percentage of staffing at the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) operations in Beltsville, etc.  The remainder, approximately $3 million, is dedicated to the direct services of the Gardens Unit and Education and Visitors Services Unit.  Therefore, a $2 million cut would represent a drastic cut in the direct services of these two programs, likely resulting in a crippling and possibly fatal loss of staff and services.

A budget cut of this magnitude will have very dire consequences for both the world renowned Gardens and Plant Collections at the National Arboretum and the staff of the Education and Visitors Services Unit.  Such consequences most likely will include deep and massive staff layoffs, abandonment or extreme neglect of many of the plant collections and garden displays, possible closure of portions of the Arboretum including potentially part or all of the world-class National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, a significant cutback in public access and hours, and even, possibly, a failure to maintain the original national Capitol Columns which were relocated to the grounds of the National Arboretum and represent a vital part of American history.

Congress needs to reject this short-sighted and harmful budget proposal and maintain this national treasure by restoring the proposed $2 million reduction for the National Arboretum.  I urge you to reject this budget proposal.