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 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, donor-advised funds, 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
Join us for a weekend of fun this June as we celebrate Washington Youth Garden's 50th Anniversary! @washyouthgarden June 11 | Birthday Party | Free family-friendly event June 12 | Evening Benefit | Ticketed fundraiser celebrating WYG’s history and raising money for its future Get your tickets today! Link in bio for event info and registration. Event sponsorships also available 🎉 . . . #washyouthgarden #wyg #washingtonyouthgarden #wyg50 #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dcevents #dmvevents #fundraiser
Thank you to all our partners who made our April Garden Fair & Plant Sale a success this year! We are extremely grateful to @dcchildcareconnections for orchestrating the ARTboretum family activities and supporting many event operational expenses, such as the shuttle service. We are also grateful for the support of our event sponsors Bartlett Tree Experts (@lifeatbartlett) and the Frank & Evelyn Schmidt Family Foundation (@jfstrees). Thanks as well as the in-kind support from American Plant, Edelweiss Perennials, Far Reaches Farm, Foxborough Nursery, JC Raulston Arboretum, Plant Delights Nursery, Inc., and Terry Macfarlane. 📸: @matthewrakola
Register today for our Summer 5K on June 25th to take advantage of early-bird pricing! Early-bird pricing until May 15th is $40 and includes a race t-shirt. Standard pricing after May 15th is $55 and does not include a t-shirt. Whether you're running for speed or walking the course, join our 5K race and enjoy the National Arboretum in its summer splendor. Strollers and dogs are welcome, but dogs must stay on a 5' non-retractable leash. Link in bio to register. . . . #shareyourarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #capitolcolumns #optoutside #arboretum #5k #running #rundc #dc #5krun #dcevents #dmvevents
The US National Arboretum lifted the seasonal traffic restrictions on Friday, May 6th. All roads and gates are now open to traffic and operating as normal, except Azalea Road which will remain closed for the nesting bald eagles in the Azalea Collections. Thank you for following these guidelines and helping the Arboretum manage the high volume of visitors this spring — your cooperation was greatly appreciated! Visit the Arboretum’s website for the most up-to-date information: www.USNA.usda.gov . . . #shareyourarboretum #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #spring #exploreDC #DC #nationalarboretumdc #springflowers #capitolcolumns
Washington Youth Garden Instagram
CELEBRATE WITH US ON JUNETEENTH 🎊✊🏾/ Originally a Texas State holiday turned federal holiday, Juneteenth celebrates the state’s late acceptance of the Emancipation Proclamation on June 19th 1865. The Washington Youth Garden will be celebrating the different foods of this holiday by showcasing a food demo with Chef Daoud Harris of @sixstreeteats We also will offer self-guided tours of various diaspora crops currently growing in our demonstration garden located on the grounds of the US National Arboretum. If you’re interested in signing up, registrar for this FREE event on Eventbrite. Bring your family and friends along to enjoy the festivities. Link in the bio. #junteenth #juneteenthweekend #juneteenth2022 #dmv #dcps #gardentotable #blackhistory #dcevents #nationalarboretum #WYG #familyfriendly
Join us for a weekend of fun this June as we celebrate Washington Youth Garden's 50th Anniversary! June 11 | Birthday Party | Free family-friendly event June 12 | Evening Benefit | Ticketed fundraiser celebrating WYG’s history and raising money for its future Get your tickets today! Link in bio for event info and registration. Event sponsorships also available 🎉 @fonarboretum . . . #washyouthgarden #wyg #washingtonyouthgarden #wyg50 #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dcevents #dmvevents #fundraiser
Join us for our 2022 Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching! During this four day training from July 12-15, develop your school garden program, collaborate with other DC educators, learn outdoor group management techniques and foolproof activities, and get a jumpstart in your planning for the next school year. Participants will receive a stipend, contingent upon finalized funding. Register by May 25th to join us for our Summer Institute — link in bio to sign up! . . . #washyouthgarden #summerinstitute #garden #gardeneducation #schoolgarden #dc #dcschools #professionaldevelopment #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #wyg
Our SPROUT field trip program is off to an amazing start! Since mid-April, we have hosted 9 hands-on, garden-based field trips to over 240 students in the Washington Youth Garden. These experiences have covered topics such as composting, pollination, and nutrition. Our pollination-themed trip has been the most popular so far. During this trip, students play the role of a pollinator and enact the process of pollination through a relay race, help hand-pollinate some of our crops, and visit our beehive to about bees and taste their honey. While we won't offer SPROUT field trips this summer or on weekends, please reach out to education@fona.org if you are planning a group outing during that time and are interested in having a less-structured experience in the garden. . . #washingtonyouthgarden #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #fieldtrip #garden #gardenscience
FONA FIELD NOTES NEWSLETTER
