ARE YOU CURIOUS BY NATURE?
TEMPORARY SPRING TRAFFIC PLAN
Beginning Thursday, March 17th until mid-May, the number of visitors and vehicles allowed on the National Arboretum grounds at any given time may be limited. During peak visitation, which is generally over the weekend, entry may be delayed for at least 30 minutes. We urge visitors to plan their weekend visit as early in the day as possible or visit on a weekday to avoid crowds and delayed entry.
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- Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM daily
- Access: Monday through Thursday after 2 PM and all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, cars must enter the Arboretum using the New York Avenue gate (3500 New York Ave, NE). During this time, cars can only use the R Street gate (2400 R Street, NE) to exit the Arboretum.
- During times of particularly high visitation, the Arboretum’s gates may be temporarily closed to cars for at least 30 minutes at a time. These closures are most likely to occur on weekends; closures are unlikely on weekdays.
- Pedestrians and bicyclists are not subject to restrictions and may enter and exit, including via the R Street gate, at any time.
- Traffic Flow: Vehicles will be limited to a single one-way loop with free parking available in one of three parking lots. Cars can also parallel park on the right side of the one-way route along most of its length.
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 building maintenance projects. Our Native Plant Sale supports the Arboretum’s annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium.
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 through 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.
Share the gift of the Arboretum
David Fairchild Society
A passionate community of supporters with membership starting at $1,200.
Other Ways to Support
Support FONA through securities, planned giving, bench donations, and more.
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS — WASHINGTON YOUTH GARDEN
For 50 years, Washington Youth Garden, the youth outreach and education branch of Friends of the National Arboretum, has provided hands-on education to connect youth to food, the land, and each other. Now we are celebrating Washington Youth Garden’s successes and the people who have made it what it is today by investing in three key components to continue engaging children, families, and teachers in garden education for the next 50 years.
We’re celebrating Washington Youth Garden’s 50th Anniversary with a weekend of fun this June! Join us Saturday, June 11th for a family-friendly birthday party in the garden, or join us Sunday, June 12th for an evening fundraiser in the garden with cocktails, dinner, and toasts.
Join us for our celebratory anniversary events
UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Forest Bathing
Other Activities
RECENT POSTS
Friends of the National Arboretum Instagram
Just 3 weeks away!! We’re excited to welcome people to our annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale at the National Arboretum on Saturday, April 30th! We’ll have thousands of plants to choose from for your home and garden, over 25 local vendors to shop with, and free family activities for kids. FONA members get early access to the plant sale from 8 AM - 10 AM (become a member today), but vendors are open to the public all day long. See link in bio for full plant lists, vendors, and activities. Registration is preferred but not required — let us know you’re coming! . . . #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #gardenfair #plantsale #dmvevents #dcevents #nationalarboretum #supportlocal #shareyourarboretum
Take in the scent of spring on a walk through the National Arboretum’s lilac research fields. They’re just around the corner from the #CapitolColumns, and just about in full bloom! The #USNationalArboretum has released 3 lilac cultivars over the years as part of its lilac hybridization program. Syringa ‘Betsy Ross’, ‘Old Glory’, and ‘Declaration’ were all created by Arboretum horticulturist Don Egolf in the 1970s. They weren’t released to the American nursery industry until the 2000s, though. Creating new plants takes a long time, but they are well worth the wait! Check out the research fields and see for yourself! . . . #shareyourarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #spring #horticulture #botany #arboretum #springflowers #lilac #science #usda #dc
Want your photos displayed at the National Arboretum? Our friends at National Capital Area Garden Clubs are creating the “Nurturing Earth Flower Show,” a youth art show at the Arboretum on April 22-23! How does it work? The art show is open to all 1st graders through 12th graders. Participants must submit their photo entries by April 17th, and must follow one of the themes: nature, or recycling in your neighborhood. Email latripp24@gmail.com to submit photos, or see the flyer for all submission options. . . . #shareyourarboretum #artshow #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #art #natureart #gardenclub #nationalcapitalareagardenclubs
No April Fools here — DC9 hatched late Monday night and is cute as a button ☺️ This eaglet is named DC9 since it's the ninth eagle to hatch in this nest, and it appears more alert and stronger than its sibling did. DC8 hatched last Friday but did not survive. The National Arboretum is working with partners to learn what these eagles can tell us about environmental health. DC9 will be featured in a @natgeo documentary series about the interactions between birds and humans in the environment. In late April, @doee_dc scientists will also take a small blood sample to understand how industrial chemicals and heavy metals found in fish in the Anacostia River impact the growth and development of apex predators like bald eagles. Link in bio to watch the live webcam of the eagle family in their nest high above the Azalea Collections! . . . Photo from: @naeaglecam @aefeagles #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #naeaglecam #dceaglecam #dceagles #baldeagle #dc #conservation
Washington Youth Garden Instagram
Looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day with your young learner? Every Day is EARTH DAY! Friday, April 22 | 11:00 am - 11:30 am Celebrate Earth Day with DCAEYC and our host Ms. Allie Arnold from Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA)! Students will start with a Save the Soil dance, then visit different designated “stations” in the garden encouraging students to explore, listen, get down low, use their sense of smell, and observe what they see in each new place, then end with Plant Yoga. Takes place over zoom, so head to the link in our bio to sign up (Month of the Young Child: Every Day is Earth Day). #earlylearners #ece #earthday #dcaeyc #getoutside #plantyoga
CALLING ALL YOUTH/ Happy Spring! As the temperature begins to warm up, so are we at the National Arboretum. This Saturday will be our first youth volunteer day for those looking to earn community service hours. During this service opportunity, students can expect to gain hands-on experience in learning what it takes to grow your own food by engaging in activities such as : weeding and mulching , harvesting vegetables ,planting seedlings and building structures for the garden. See the attached flyer and volunteer interest form for more information. Link in the bio✌🏾 #washingtonyourhgarden #dmv #communityservicehours #syep #dc #growyourownfood #earthday2022 #nationalarboretum #fona
Want your photos displayed at the National Arboretum? Our friends at National Capital Area Garden Clubs are creating the “Nurturing Earth Flower Show,” a youth art show at the Arboretum on April 22-23! How does it work? The art show is open to all 1st graders through 12th graders. Participants must submit their photo entries by April 17th, and must follow one of the themes: nature, or recycling in your neighborhood. Email latripp24@gmail.com to submit photos, or see the flyer for all submission options. . . . #shareyourarboretum #artshow #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #art #natureart #gardenclub #nationalcapitalareagardenclubs
*Free event this Saturday!* 🌱Are you a D.C. teacher who is new to gardening or wondering what to do next in your school garden? 🌱Do you want to plant with your students but don't know what to grow or how to sustainably manage your school garden? 🌱Join us for Spring into School Gardening!! We invite you to get your hands dirty in our Washington Youth Garden. This event is open to beginning to novice gardeners to help ease you into growing food. Come with a friend from your school who wants to learn how to garden and walk away with knowledge and confidence to get you and your students growing. 🌱For Title 1 schools or schools with limited capacity and budget for garden programming, we are offering free straw and compost. Share-A-Seed with Slow Food D.C. @slowfooddc will also be hosting a seed swap so come on by! 🌱This event is open to everyone but geared toward educators. Complimentary lunch and coffee provided. Please register via link in bio. #washingtonyouthgarden #youthgarden #schoolgardens #dcgardens #urbangardens #nationalarboretum #gardenscience
FONA FIELD NOTES NEWSLETTER
Garden Fair & Plant Sale Guide
