Arboretum will stay open to the public until 8 PM on Friday, May 9, May 30, and June 20
EXTENDED EVENING HOURS
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 maintenance projects. Our plant sales and seasonal festivals 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.
Donate to Join
Make a donation of any amount to become a FONA member. Or give monthly to become a Sustaining Member and support our work all year long!
Donate to Renew
Make a one-time contribution of any amount to renew your FONA membership. Or give monthly to become a Sustaining Member and support our work all year long!
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.
TEMPORARY SPRING TRAFFIC PLAN
Beginning Wednesday, March 26th through mid-May, the Arboretum will implement a temporary traffic plan that impacts traffic flow and parking throughout the grounds. We urge visitors to plan their weekend visit as early in the day as possible or visit on a weekday to avoid crowds.
Click image to view the full map.
- One-Way Traffic Flow: Vehicles will only be allowed to travel one way down Hickey Lane and Eagle Nest Road, beginning at the intersection of Hickey Lane and Valley Road and continuing to the intersection of Eagle Nest and Azalea Roads. Azalea Road will also become a one way lane. All other traffic patterns will remain unchanged.
- Pedestrian Walkway: A pedestrian pathway will run adjacent to vehicle traffic on Hickey Lane, beginning at the intersection of Hickey Lane and Valley Road and continuing to the R Street Entrance.
- On-Street Parking: Vehicles will be allowed to park on one side of the road ONLY in designated areas along Eagle Nest Road, Azalea Road, and Valley Road. Signs will designate where parking is allowed.
Pedestrians and bicyclists are not subject to traffic restrictions, but please take special care when traveling around the one-way loop that is open to traffic.
The adjacent map illustrates the impact of this traffic plan on the grounds. Both the R Street and New York Avenue Entrances will operate as normal. Please drive carefully through the R Street Neighborhood and be respectful of our neighbors when accessing the R Street Entrance. Thank you for driving safely through the National Arboretum this spring.
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.
STAY IN THE KNOW
FONA’s publications and newsletters share the story of the U.S. National Arboretum and FONA with the world. Our FONA Field Notes newsletter and Stories from the Field articles are just some of the ways we tell this story. See our Publications & Media page to see a full archive of all of our publications.
FONA Field Notes Newsletter
This award-winning weekly email newsletter that shares updates and insights about the U.S. National Arboretum, Friends of the National Arboretum, and the Washington Youth Garden. The newsletter also periodically highlights historical agricultural and horticultural change makers, local community events hosted by partner organizations, and much more. Review our full newsletter archive, or sign up to receive FONA Field Notes in your inbox.
Community Fishing & Garden Gratitude
Guide to the Garden Fair & Plant Sale
Stories From the Field Articles
This article series highlights the people, collections, and research that make the National Arboretum such a special and important place. We deliver these articles straight to your inbox through our FONA Field Notes newsletter, so there’s no need for extra emails or mail. Review our full article archive, or sign up to receive FONA Field Notes.
Illuminating the ‘Ilex’
How a Blooming Career Took Root: Dr. Margaret Pooler
Unsung Heroes of Summer
UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Forest Bathing
Other Activities
RECENT SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
Friends of the National Arboretum Instagram
THANK YOU to everyone who donated their time and energy to make the Garden Fair & Plant Sale happen! FONA could not host this event without an incredible amount of volunteer support. Over 80 volunteers helped on Saturday alone. They helped customers find the right plants, directed traffic, managed checkout, wrangled lines and shopping carts, loaded plants into cars, and so much more. The Garden Fair Committee spent the past four months preparing for this event. This is a core group of volunteers responsible for planning many aspects of the event, particularly the Plant Sale tent. Committee members attended the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show in January to gather plant donations, ordered plants from wholesalers, and drove to North Carolina to collect plants donated from nurseries. They also spent the week leading up to the Garden Fair unloading, sorting, pricing, and watering thousands of plants. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!
THANK YOU to everyone who celebrated spring at the National Arboretum with us last weekend! FONA's Board of Directors hosted our first-ever Spring Cocktail Reception in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum on Friday. Then on Saturday, we hosted our annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale. We greatly enjoyed sharing our love of plants and the Arboretum through these two events. If you attended the Garden Fair & Plant Sale, please fill out our short event survey at the link in bio. We want to continue to improve our events and appreciate all the feedback you can provide. . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dcevent #dmv #dmvevent #familyfriendly #plantsale #gardenfair #gardening #gardendc #arboretum
We're extending our Garden Fair & Plant Sale one more day! Many plants in the Plant Sale tent will be discounted. Plus, seven vendors will return for the extended event: @bailiwick_clothing, @boujie.plants, Bruce Ciske Pottery, @embracethe_succ, @flowersxflores, @inti_phaxsi_gems, @radicalrootsfarmva. Come by the National Arboretum’s New York Avenue parking lot on Sunday, April 27th between 11 AM to 3 PM and fill up on plants. Limited parking will be available in the New York Avenue lot, but will be first come first served. One shuttle will also run from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM between the R Street and Grove parking lots and the event (swipe for new event map). We hope you will join us for this mini extended sale! The weather will be gorgeous and the Azalea Collections are still blooming and look beautiful. It will be a great day to be outside at the National Arboretum. . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dcevent #dmv #dmvevent #familyfriendly #plantsale #gardenfair #gardening #gardendc #arboretum
It’s time for the Garden Fair & Plant Sale! A little rain is good for the people and the plants ☺️ Come by the National Arboretum today, April 26th from 9 AM to 4 PM and get all the plants you need! We also have 30 vendors selling plants, food, drinks, arts, craft, and more. See you soon! . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dcevent #dmv #gardendc
Washington Youth Garden Instagram
Families, join us for a container gardening workshop on Saturday, May 10th and learn how to container garden! Together, we'll learn step-by-step how to grow fresh herbs or veggies in pots, right in your home. Come out to the Washington Youth Garden from 1 PM to 3:30 PM and have some fun! Link in bio to register. . . . @fonarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #familyfriendly #dcevent #kidfriendly #nature #naturewalk #dmv #dmvevent #arboretum #washingtonyouthgarden
Calling all families! Join us on a guided Nature Walk on Saturday, April 12th in the Washington Youth Garden. This is a free and enriching outdoor experience where you and your family can breathe, explore, and unwind together. Along the way, you'll learn fun, hands-on activities that you can take with you to explore on your own. Come out and have some fun!! Link in bio to register. . . . @fonarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #familyfriendly #dcevent #kidfriendly #nature #naturewalk #dmv #dmvevent #arboretum #washingtonyouthgarden
Applications for the annual Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching are now open! This is a four-day training for D.C. educators from July 15th to 18th. Participants will learn from fellow garden educators about outdoor group management techniques, standards-aligned activities, how to sustain garden programs, and more. All participants will receive a stipend (amount contingent upon final funding). Applications received by April 2nd will receive a notification of acceptance by April 11th. Applications received after April 2nd will be notified of acceptance on a rolling basis until full. Click here to learn more and apply: https://forms.gle/FSrY3pD37HsdFaJs6
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Spring into School Gardening event last weekend! It was a huge success and a great way to kick off spring! Teachers came from across the District to pick up free garden supplies, learn how to plant strawberries and prepare garden beds, and connect with one another. One teacher shared they learned through this event that "all school gardening does not have to look the same." Each school garden has different strengths and challenges to overcome. Our hope through events and programs like this one is to help teachers feel more supported in their school garden work and more connected with others doing the same throughout D.C. . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dcps #dcteachers #dcevent #teacher #dceducator #schoolgarden #schoolgardens #garden