Unique and unusual bulbs, local vendors, and fall family fun
SEPT. 30: FALL FESTIVAL & BULB SALE
ARE YOU CURIOUS BY NATURE?
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 plant sales and fairs 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.
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, donor-advised funds, planned giving, bench donations, and more.
GROW THE GARDEN: FENCE RENOVATION
We are renovating Washington Youth Garden’s perimeter fence as the next step in our Grow the Garden campaign.
Replacing the existing fence will:
- Make the garden more inviting to youth and families
- Create a visible, central entry point to the garden by adding a front entrance
- Incorporate honeycomb elements to make the fence more visually interesting and engaging than the existing chain link fence
- Continue to keep out deer, raccoons, and groundhogs
- Expand the growing space
Donate today and together we can grow the garden! We have already secured $50,000 in grant funding for the fence renovation, but we need our community’s help to reach our $150,000 goal. Whether it’s $15, $50, or $500, every donation makes a difference.
*Donations are for the entire Grow the Garden campaign and do not count towards annual membership.
Looking into the Washington Youth Garden from outside the existing fence. Photo by Rosi Fotography.
An example of a garden fence that incorporates wooden elements into its construction. The new WYG fence will incorporate honeycomb elements to make the fence more visually interesting and engaging.
A new Garden Agreement sign hangs from the existing fence to welcome visitors to the garden.
An example of a garden fence that incorporates wooden elements into its construction. The new WYG fence will incorporate honeycomb elements to make the fence more visually interesting and engaging.
Students walk into the garden to attend a field trip. The garden hosts many events and programs throughout the year.
Click the map to view in full screen, or click here for a downloadable version.
Campaign Phases
FONA is committed to providing excellent youth education at the National Arboretum. Each phase of the Grow the Garden campaign helps us make the Washington Youth Garden more engaging, accessible, and productive for future generations.
- Conceptual redesign
- Community feedback
- Final redesign
- Fence renovation (fundraising in progress)
- Raised bed construction (funding secured)
- Interpretive & wayfinding signage (ongoing)
- Widen garden paths to be ADA accessible
- Build a whimsical garden supply shed
- Plant fruit & nut trees
- Interpretive & wayfinding signage
- Decorative plantings in front of garden
- High-visibility signage
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Nadia Mercer
Maisha Martin
Karen Rand
Tom Broderick
Kevin McIntosh
Luke Dickinson
Pamela Raymont-Simpson
Richard Boyd
Dick Cecka
Patricia Nutter
mark buscaino
Stella Edosomwan
Anonymous
Barbara Shea
Anonymous
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Science
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.
Learn about our education programs & Washington Youth Garden
UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Forest Bathing
Other Activities
RECENT POSTS
Friends of the National Arboretum Instagram
With pale pink flowers and dark brown bark, Arboretum introduction Crapemyrtle ‘Biloxi’ (Lagerstroemia ‘Biloxi’) sports an impressive color contrast. This small tree does well in urban settings, tolerating drought and small spaces. It is hardy to much of the southern United States and is resistant to powdery mildew as well. There are two on the grounds of the National Arboretum, one planted in a courtyard at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, and one in the Gotelli Conifer Collection. Kamala Codrington-White, an ORISE fellow at the National Arboretum, shares plants of note at the Arboretum in this new recurring segment. Find these plants on your next trip to the Arboretum this summer. . . . 📸 by U.S. National Arboretum @usdagov #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #horticultural #nativeplants #gardening #dc
Need a will? FONA has your back. August is National Make-a-Will Month, and it's a great time to pause and plan ahead for the people, pets, places, and causes you care about. Through our partnership with FreeWill, you can make or update your will for free in 20 minutes or less. Creating a will can bring you security, peace of mind, and impact. If you choose, you can also include a legacy gift to FONA in your will, which will help us preserve and enhance the Arboretum for generations to come. You will also become a member of FONA's Heritage Society, a dedicated group of individuals who share a love of plants, nature, and the outdoors. Link in bio to make your will today. . . . #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #capitolcolumns #freewill #will #estateplanning #plannedgiving #dc #community #makeawillmonth
Next up on our plant spotlight is Largeflower heartleaf (Hexastylis shuttleworthii), a plant native to the Southeastern United States. It small, heart-shaped leaves dappled in attractive patterns, and small jug-shaped flowers, and acts as appealing groundcover in a woodland environment. They are one of a handful of species of heartleaf native to the area, and can be grown from rhizomes in moist, shady gardens. Hexastylis are a segregate of the Asarum family, which has similar wild ginger plants originating in Asia. A variety of Hexastylis can be found in Fern Valley, and their Asarum relatives are in the Asian Collections and the gardens around the Bonsai Museum. Kamala Codrington-White, an ORISE fellow at the National Arboretum, shares plants of note at the Arboretum in this new recurring segment. Find these plants on your next trip to the Arboretum this summer. . . . 📸 by U.S. National Arboretum @usdagov #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #horticultural #nativeplants #gardening #dc
The National Arboretum's massive willow oak was so close to being crowned the largest tree in DC by @caseytrees. Alas, the willow oak came in second place, losing to a chestnut oak in Battery Kimble Park by only 3" in circumference, or 0.95" in diameter at breast height. This tree lives in the crapemyrtle research fields near Springhouse Run. Although the Arboretum's willow oak has been around for well over 100 years, this tree is coming to the end of its life. It has sustained substantial damage over the past decade from storms and carpenterworms, and it has never been able to recover. A storm caused further damage this July, making it unsafe to be near. Please keep your distance from the tree and stay behind the roped off areas. See the link in bio to read Casey Trees' report about the top 6 largest trees in DC. . . . @usdagov #arboretum #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dctrees #horticulture #trees
Washington Youth Garden Instagram
Are you a DC school teacher, staff, or family member interested in learning how to take care of your school garden? Need supplies to kick off the fall and winter growing season? Join us this Saturday, September 9th from 11 AM to 12 PM in the Washington Youth Garden for our annual Fall into School Gardening event! Get free supplies, network with other educators, and attend a short garden training. Please register for this free event to let us know you're coming — link in bio to sign up! . . . @fonarboretum #schoolgarden #backtoschool #dcschool #garden #gardeneducation #washingtonyouthgarden #wyg #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum
Registration is now open for fall self-guided field trips in the Washington Youth Garden. Prior to your visit, our staff can help you organize simple activities to guide your group's experience. Staff will also lead an orientation at the start of your visit. You also have access to our picnic area to organize your own snack or lunch during your visit. Self-guided experiences are free and open to all schools, but space is limited and reservations are required. Trips start the week of September 13th and run through November 8th on Wednesdays and Fridays, with morning and afternoon trip slots. Link in bio to register for a self-guided field trip! . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #fieldtrip #backtoschool #dc #dcschools #gardeneducation #outdooreducation #outdoorlearning
Due to unforeseen logistical challenges, we’ve had to cancel Saturday’s Poetry Slam. We’ll let you know if we are able to reschedule in the fall. #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #summerevent #dc #youth #poetry #poetryslam
Calling all young poets! We are hosting a youth Poetry Slam in the Garden on August 5th, and we want YOU to compete! This single-round competition will take place in the Washington Youth Garden and is open to all youth between the ages of 13 and 18. Participants are encouraged to perform poems that follow the theme of Nature & Environmental/Food Justice. Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners. Register in the link in bio! This event is also free for the public to attend. Come cheer on contestants, tour the Youth Garden, and enjoy an evening at the National Arboretum. Registration is required to enter the Arboretum for this special evening event, sign up as an audience member in the link in bio. . . . 📸 by Rosi Fotography Event funded with support from Humanities DC Friends of the National Arboretum Charity Joyce Blackwell #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #summerevent #dc #poetryslam #youth #poetry #outdoorevent #spokenword
FONA FIELD NOTES NEWSLETTER
Our weekly FONA Field Notes newsletter provides timely updates on the National Arboretum, FONA, and the Washington Youth Garden. See our all our past newsletter issues, in addition to our other publications and magazines, on our Publications & Media page.
Connect with the Arboretum through our FONA Field Notes newsletter
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When you sign up for our mailing list, you will receive regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.