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.
FONA & THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FONA is thrilled to congratulate Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young on her confirmation as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In this new role, she will serve in the highest scientific post at the USDA in support of our nation’s agricultural needs and will be the first woman of color in this position.
Dr. Jacobs-Young has long advocated for a productive partnership between FONA and the U.S. National Arboretum in her previous role as Administrator of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and has played an important role in advancing our collaboration. FONA thanks her for her longstanding support and is excited for her continued leadership.
50 YEARS OF 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.
Learn about our anniversary projects
UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Forest Bathing
Other Activities
RECENT POSTS
Friends of the National Arboretum Instagram
Thank you to all who joined us this week for our 26th annual Dinner Under the Stars! We had a blast ringing in autumn at the Arboretum with over 300 guests. This event is our biggest fundraiser of the year — we raised over $250,000 thanks to the support of our event sponsors and guests. Funds raised from the Dinner go a long way in helping us fulfill our mission. FONA preserves and enhances the National Arboretum and facilitates experiential programs that instill a love of plants, nature, and the outdoors in all who visit the Arboretum. Check out our link in bio to learn more about this event. . . . Vendors: @mtghospitality @plumephoto @spilledmilkdc @selecteventgroup @dangoldmanevents @flowersxflores Premium Sponsors: @lifeatbartlett @nutrienltd @bayerus @bayerofficial @croplife_america @syngenta @syngentaus In-Kind: @otherhalfdc
There are a LOT of events happening this fall at the National Arboretum! We're collaborating with lots of local partners to host exciting activities and events all season long. Scroll through these flyers to learn about each event, and check out our link in bio for the full calendar to register for them! . . . #shareyourarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dcevents #fall #yoga #forestbathing #fallfestival #holidaymarket #holiday #5krun #5k #dmv #dmvevents #outdoorevents #event #arboretum #outdoors #nature
Fall is the perfect time to volunteer in Washington Youth Garden! Volunteers provide crucial help with gardening tasks like weeding, planting, mulching, and harvesting. We have options for both individual and group volunteers in @washyouthgarden. Individuals Volunteers: We host regularly-scheduled garden volunteer hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from April through October. Fill out the interest form in the link in bio. Groups Volunteers: We work with groups to plan private volunteer days on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from April through October. We ask for a minimum of 10 people and maximum of 30 people per group, and can plan multiple volunteer days if your group is larger than this. Email Claire Alrich (calrich@fona.org) if you are interested in group volunteering. . . . @fonarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #garden #volunteer #wyg #communityservice
Want to get your hands dirty? Join us for a volunteer day at the Arboretum (August-December) and help keep the restored Springhouse Run stream healthy. The work that volunteers do pulling invasive vines and weeds is crucial to maintaining a healthy ecosystem for newly-planted native species. Link in bio for our full event calendar and to register! . . . #shareyourarboretum #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #arboretum #botanic #nature #dc #exploredc #horticulture #usda #conservation #volunteer
Washington Youth Garden Instagram
Thanks to a generous $2,500 grant from the Capitol Hill Community Foundation (@caphillfound), we recently renovated our Nature Explore Classroom. Certified Nature Explore Classrooms (NEC) are dynamic, nature-based play and learning spaces, designed to provide opportunities for children to connect with the natural world. Originally installed nearly 10 years ago, WYG hosts the only certified NEC in the District. Our NEC is next to the Washington Youth Garden, and provides tools for visitors and groups to independently and creatively explore the outside world. The classroom has a sandbox, tree stumps for jumping, musical instruments, and a stage. We look forward to welcoming our neighbors from Capitol Hill — and all Arboretum visitors — into this classroom this fall! . . . #wyg #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #community #capitolhill #capitolhilldc #nonprofit #dc
SOME OF THR BEST LESSONS ARE LEARNED THROUGH PLAY🏃🏾♂️/ During GAP this past summer we started off our days with activities that built teamwork, communication and self development skills. Although many of the games were fun and goofy at time, the crew really gravitated towards it. This specific image is from the game Rock Paper Scissors Tag. Two team line up facing each other taking a center line. One person from each team plays rock, paper, scissors until there is a winner. The winning team must then chase and tag as many people as possible on the other team before the other team returns to their end line. Not only is this game fun but it challenges both groups to have quick minds and quick legs. How do you determine leadership during your work projects? How can you make projects more fun and engaging? Want to stay connect with everything going on at the Arboretum? Sign up for FONA field notes to stay in the know. Link in the bio 🔗 #youthprograms #washingtonyouthgarden #nationalarboretum #dmv #dcps #syep #youthjobs #fona #personaldevelopment
Help us build Grow@Home kits this fall at the garden 🌱 These kits include an activity guide that allows students to practice the scientific method, run their own experiments, and create nutritious meals from what they grow. See link in bio to sign up and join us on the following days: Tuesday, Oct. 4th: 10 AM - 1 PM Saturday, Oct. 15th: 10 AM - 1 PM Saturday, Nov. 5th: 10 AM - 1 PM . . . #wyg #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #schoolgarden #garden #urbangarden #fallgarden #fall #nationalarboretumdc #washingtonyouthgarden #volunteer #dcevents
What are Farmer Emilia’s garden tips for Fall? Check out the link in bio and learn: 🥬what to plant now for quick harvests 🥕how to transition your space from summer to fall while building healthy soil 🌱how to use cover crops to increase your garden’s health and productivity Sign up for our seasonal School Garden Gateway newsletter (link in bio) to get curated tips, tricks, and resources for you and your school garden. . . . #wyg #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #schoolgarden #garden #urbangarden #fallgarden #fall #nationalarboretumdc #washingtonyouthgarden #dcps
FONA FIELD NOTES NEWSLETTER
