Enjoy the Arboretum in full summer swing while running or walking the course
SUMMER 5K ON JUNE 3RD
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.
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
Need a bite to eat during your weekend visit? We are bringing food trucks to the Arboretum this June! A different food truck will be set up next to the Visitor Center from 10 AM to 2 PM on the following days: Saturday, June 3rd: @blossombakerydc Sunday, June 11th: @justajsfoods Saturday, June 17th: @tacodirtytome . . . #shareyourarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dcevents #dmv #dmvevents #outdoorevents #event #arboretum #outdoors #foodtruck #picnic #summer
There’s still time to grab your favorite running or walking partner and join us for our Summer 5K this Saturday, June 3rd. This course is open to both runners and walkers, and strollers and dogs are allowed (dogs must stay on a 5-foot non-retractable leash). Registration closes Friday, June 2nd at 11:59 PM, so make sure to sign up today using the link in bio! . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #5k #summer #summer5k #run #walk #dogfriendly #capitolcolumns #kidfriendly
Yoga in the Grove begins again this Saturday, June 3rd. Find your flow with instructors from @bluebirdskyyoga as you flow through movements like the wind in the trees around you. All levels are welcome! Classes will take place every Saturday at 10 AM from June through mid-October. Drop-in classes are $26 (FONA members get a 20% off discount). Sign up through the link in bio or on Bluebird Sky Yoga’s website. . . . #yoga #mindfulness #nature #arboretum #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dcyoga #yogaoutside
Don’t forget to sign up for our Summer 5k next Saturday, June 3rd! Join us and have fun running or walking through collections in bloom at the National Arboretum. Enjoy a secure course closed to all cars, a DJ at the start/finish line, free race photos from a professional photographer, and a post-race recovery yoga class (additional $5 fee, sign up when registering for the race). Strollers and dogs are allowed, but dogs must stay on a 5’ non-retractable leash. Race registration costs $55 (FONA members use your discount code) — link in bio to sign up! . . . #shareyourarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dcevents #summer #dmv #dmvevents #outdoorevents #event #arboretum #outdoors #5k #5krun #run
Washington Youth Garden Instagram
Join us for yoga and volunteering this Tuesday, June 6th from 9 AM to noon in the Washington Youth Garden. Yoga practitioner E/Elizabeth Goodman will integrate meditation, conscious yoga movement, and gentle gardening practice in this workshop. This event is free and geared towards seniors, but is open to all. See the link in bio to sign up! . . . #yoga #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #nature #mindfulness #naturetherapy #garden #dc @fonarboretum
The 2023 growing season is well underway in Washington Youth Garden. Our team of staff and volunteers have already harvested 450 pounds of produce from the one-acre garden on the grounds of the Arboretum. The majority of these vegetables are leafy greens like kale, chard, lettuce, tatsoi, and collards. All of this produce is donated to families in the community through weekly distributions to our partner schools, DC Central Kitchen, and migrant families recently relocated to Washington, DC. Want to support our work sharing healthy food with our community? Come volunteer at Washington Youth Garden! Volunteers provide crucial help with gardening tasks such as weeding, planting, mulching, and more. We are particularly looking for more volunteers to help with harvests on Thursdays from 9 AM to noon. Link in bio to sign up to volunteer! . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #wyg #schoolgarden #urbangarden #dc #volunteerdc #volunteer #harvest @fonarboretum
Join us for our 2023 Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching on July 11-14. During this 4 day training, participants will learn outdoor group management techniques, foolproof activities, sustainable school garden program design, and more. This training is open to all returning Pre-K through 5th grade teachers, staff, or volunteers who work in a DC school with an existing school garden program. All participants receive a stipend, and schools that send two or more participants are eligible for a materials stipend to support their garden program. Applications are due by April 30th! Link in bio to apply today! . . . #washyouthgarden #summerinstitute #garden #gardeneducation #schoolgarden #dc #dcschools #professionaldevelopment #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #wyg @fonarboretum
Thank you to everyone who made it out to our Volunteer Open House event to kick-off the growing season! We are excited to welcome back drop-in volunteer sessions at the Washington Youth Garden every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9am-12pm. If you missed today, no worries! Sign up via our volunteer interest form in the link in our bio. This also includes public event volunteer opportunities at the National Arboretum, Springhouse Run volunteering, and larger volunteer groups. Huge shoutout to @share_a_seed for sharing seeds with our community and for hanging out with us!
FONA FIELD NOTES NEWSLETTER
Infrastructure Projects at the Arboretum
Fighting Pests Through Genetics