Race past collections brightly colored with fall foliage
Discounted registration for all veterans, active duty, and reserve military members
11/9: FALL 5K
Photo by A2Z Photography
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.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
The U.S. National Arboretum is currently closed due to the lapse in federal government funding, and will reopen once Congress restores funding. The National Arboretum is a horticultural research facility administered by the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
FONA’s visitor events and educational programs that take place at the National Arboretum are on hold while the government is shut down and the Arboretum is closed. If you have signed up for an event or program, FONA staff will reach out to you directly about the event’s status. FONA staff will continue to work remotely to support our federal National Arboretum colleagues and our community.
Information last updated on October 1, 2025
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.
Celebrating Herbs & Honoring Interns
UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
FONA’s visitor events and educational programs that take place at the National Arboretum are on hold while the government is shut down and the Arboretum is closed. If you have signed up for an event or program, FONA staff will reach out to you directly about the status of that event. We will only remove an event from the events and programs calendar once it has been officially cancelled.
Forest Bathing
Other Activities
RECENT SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
Friends of the National Arboretum Instagram
The U.S. National Arboretum is currently closed due to the lapse in federal government funding, and will reopen once Congress restores funding. The National Arboretum is a horticultural research facility administered by the USDA Agricultural Research Service. FONA’s visitor events and educational programs that take place at the National Arboretum are on hold while the government is shut down and the Arboretum is closed. If you have signed up for an event or program, FONA staff will reach out to you directly about the event’s status. FONA staff will continue to work remotely to support our federal National Arboretum colleagues and our community. Please visit FONA’s website (link in bio) for the most up-to-date information during the shutdown. . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dmv #governmentshutdown #governmentshutdown2025 #arboretum #horticulture #federalshutdown #federalshutdown2025
This summer, we hosted a Dog of the Year photo contest to find top dog of the National Arboretum. Congrats to Miles Morales for taking home 1st place!! Gracie won second place, Chip took home third place, and Mika won the hearts of FONA staff members and became our "staff pick". Congratulations, all! Thank you to everyone who participated in the photo contest and who attended our Dog Days of Summer "pup-ups" in August. Dogs and their human companions are a big part of the National Arboretum community, and we enjoyed celebrating them through these events. We are incredibly grateful to our Top Dog Sponsor, @meganpurtellphotography, as well as all of our other sponsors for making these activities possible: Capital Dog Training Club of Washington, D.C., @fetchsilverspringbethesda, @fetchpetcare, Take Paws, and @yourdogsfriendtraining. . . . #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #dc #dmv #dogfriendly #capitolcolumns #arboretum #photocontest #dogoftheyear #dcdogs #pawsinthedmv #dcdogsofinstagram #dogsofdc
FONA's Fall 5K is just under two months away! Savor the National Arboretum's fabulous fall foliage while running or walking this race on Sunday, November 9th. All roads are closed to cars during the race to create a safe and secure event. Registration is free for kids under 13 years old, and strollers and dogs are welcome. A 20% discount is also available to all veterans, active duty, and reserve military members. Visit the link in bio to learn more and register for the race. We hope to see you at the Arboretum for this amazing annual event! . . . 📸 Beth Haubach @racinemultisports #dc #rundc #dcevents #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #capitolcolumns #5k #5krun #fall #veteran #veterans #militarydiscount #military #dcveterans #activeduty #reserves #usmilitary #fall5k
We want to hear from YOU about this summer's evening hours 🌞 For the first time ever, FONA kept the National Arboretum open to the public until 8 PM for three months straight. Thousands of visitors took this opportunity to explore the grounds at the end of a long day, enjoy the extra sunlight of summer, and see the Arboretum in a new evening light. FONA facilitated further connection to the Arboretum by hosting 14 visitor programs and nine Food Truck Fridays during summer evening hours. Please fill out a short survey at the link in bio and let us know about your evening hours experience. We hope to make evening hours a permanent feature of summer at the National Arboretum! . . . 📸 @zawesomesauce #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #dc #dmv #dcevents #dmvevents #familyfriendly #dogfriendly #arboretum #free #freeevents #eveninghours #nonprofit #summer #dcsummer #arboretum #horticulture #foodtruck #datenight #datenightdc
Washington Youth Garden Instagram
Get outside and move your body in the Washington Youth Garden during our Family Workshop this Saturday, September 20th at 11 AM! Explore the garden as we walk you through some movement activities and playful games. All ages are welcome to join! Please register at the link in bio to let us know you're coming. . . . @fonarboretum #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #garden #youthgarden #washingtonyouthgarden #wyg #family #familyfriendly #familyevent #familyactivity #familyworkshop #gardenevent #outdoorevent #dc #dmv #freeevent #dcevents #dmvevents #kidfriendly
Come move and groove in the Washington Youth Garden during our upcoming Family Workshop this Saturday, August 23rd at 11 AM. Explore the garden as we walk you through some movement activities and playful games. All ages are welcome to join! Link in bio to register. . . . @fonarboretum #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #garden #youthgarden #washingtonyouthgarden #wyg #family #familyfriendly #familyevent #familyactivity #familyworkshop #gardenevent #outdoorevent #dc #dmv #freeevent #dcevents #dmvevents #kidfriendly
Calling all families! Join us next Saturday, June 21st for a free family workshop in celebration of Juneteenth! We'll be preparing a tasty harvest-to-table dish with fruits and veggies picked from the Washington Youth Garden. Come out to the garden from 11 AM to 12:30 PM for this special activity. Registration is required — link in bio to sign up. . . . @fonarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #nationalarboretum #dc #dmv #dcevent #familyfriendly #kidfriendly #nature #farmtotable #urbangarden #arboretum #horticulture #washingtonyouthgarden #juneteenth #freeevent
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