5K race through fall foliage, autumnal family activities and lawn games, bulb sale, and more!
10/31: FALL 5K & FESTIVAL
Event proceeds benefit FONA, image by A2Z Photography
FONA & THE NATIONAL 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 support and celebrate the science, beauty, and community impact of the U.S. National Arboretum through education, engagement, and access to nature.
Photo courtesy of the National 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.
Restricted Gifts to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Make a restricted donation to support to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. For other giving options, please contact Claire Alrich at 202-918-1868 or calrich@fona.org.
NATIONAL ARBORETUM’S SCIENCE, BEAUTY, AND IMPACT
The U.S. National Arboretum is a world-class center for horticultural research, education, and innovation. It spans 451 acres in Northeast Washington, D.C., and is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. The National Arboretum serves as both a horticultural research facility and a public garden.
For almost 100 years, the National Arboretum has played an important role in preserving germplasm, developing and introducing improved plants for the American nursery industry, bridging cultural connections through plant collections, restoring habitat, and more. Learn more about key accomplishments that highlight the Arboretum’s science, beauty, and impact.
Photo courtesy of the National Arboretum
STEWARDING THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL BONSAI & PENJING MUSEUM
Friends of the National Arboretum is honored to carry forward the legacy of the National Bonsai Foundation (NBF), which concluded its operations at the end of 2025 after more than four decades of extraordinary service.
Since its founding in 1982, NBF has been essential to building and maintaining the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum, fostering international goodwill and a deep respect for the art of bonsai.
FONA extends its sincere gratitude to the NBF Board and supporters for their enduring dedication to this living art form. We are deeply mindful of the trust they have put in FONA to sustain NBF’s mission to preserve and promote the art of bonsai in America. The bonsai and penjing collections will continue under the expert care of the U.S. National Arboretum’s staff, as it has since 1976. As part of this transition, NBF will transfer the majority of remaining assets to FONA to directly support the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and ongoing bonsai education. These funds will be specifically dedicated to the continued care, growth, and improvement of the museum.
This transition was the result of a request from Dr. Richard Olsen, Director of the U.S. National Arboretum, to consolidate nonprofit engagement under Friends of the National Arboretum. This unified approach will streamline communications, expand community engagement, and enrich the visitor experience, while allowing the U.S. National Arboretum to focus on horticultural excellence and discovery.
FONA embraces this new expanded role to support the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and the U.S. National Arboretum, helping them flourish in the decades ahead. If you are interested in making a restricted donation to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at this time, you can do so online through this form. For other giving options, please contact Claire Alrich at 202-918-1868 or calrich@fona.org.
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. Our programs also provide employment opportunities and green career paths for D.C. 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 is just one of the ways we tell this story. 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. Sign up to receive FONA Field Notes in your inbox. See our Publications & Media page to see a full archive of all of our publications.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Hosted by FONA
Event proceeds benefit FONA
Hosted by the U.S. National Arboretum and other partners
RECENT SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
Friends of the National Arboretum Instagram: @FONArboretum
We all love spring flowers, but you must plant bulbs in fall if you want a stunning display next spring. Swing by the bulb sale at FONA’s Fall 5K & Festival this Saturday at 10 AM to stock up on tulips, ranunculus, daffodils, and more! Check out these bulb planting tips to set yourself up for success: 🌷Choose a spot that receives at least six hours of sun. Avoid waterlogged areas of the garden, as soggy soil can cause bulbs to rot. 💐Amend the soil if needed by mixing in organic material, if needed, or sand for added drainage. 🌱Plant bulbs with the pointy end up, at a depth roughly two to three times the bulb’s height. Cover with soil and water well. 🌿If you are purchasing bulbs at FONA’s bulb sale on Oct. 31, plant them as soon as possible afterwards to ensure they establish well! . . Alt text embedded. . . #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #dcarboretum #arboretumdc #nationalarboretumdc #publicgardens #dcgardens #DMVGardens #youthgarden #dcurbanag #dcagriculture #dcurbangarden #dmvurbangarden #familyfriendlydc #kidfriendlydc
Time is running out to register for FONA’s Fall 5K! The race is this Saturday, October 31st at 8:30 AM. Enjoy the cool autumn weather and fall foliage on display! @zekescoffeedc and Recharge DC will be on site for a post-run pick-me-up. Come dressed in your best Halloween costume for trick-or-treating and the chance to win a fun prize! You must register by Friday, October 30th in order to participate in the race, but you do not need to register to attend the festival, which begins at 10 AM. Enjoy pumpkin-themed family activities, lawn games, a bulb sale, and more! We are grateful to AT&T, Pepco, and Sustainable Maryland for helping make this event possible. Register for the Race at the link in bio. Alt text embedded.
Founded in 1976 with a bicentennial gift of bonsai from Japan, the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum museum has offered visitors five decades of horticultural discovery, cultural connection, and living artistry. On Saturday, November 7th, we’re celebrating its 50th anniversary with a day full of festivities. Tour the museum, see 3D bonsai tree visualizations, and grab a bite from local food trucks during this free celebration from 10 AM to 4 PM. From 6 PM to 8 PM that evening, the museum will host a bonsai science café featuring engaging presentations by expert scientists. Expand your scientific knowledge while enjoying themed cocktails and light bites. Tickets cost $40. Learn More & Register at the link in bio. . . Alt text embedded. . . #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #dcarboretum #arboretumdc #nationalarboretumdc #publicgardens #dcgardens #DMVGardens #nationalbonsaipenjingmuseum #nationalbonsaimuseum #bonsaimuseum #dcfoodtrucks #dcfoodscene #dcfoodies #familyfriendlydc #kidfriendlydc
The growing season may be winding down, but there is still much to do in the garden. Fall is a great time to take stock of the past year’s successes and do some preparation for the next growing season. Here are some fall gardening tips from our Washington Youth Garden team. . . Alt text embedded. . . #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #dcarboretum #arboretumdc #nationalarboretumdc #publicgardens #dcgardens #DMVGardens #youthgarden #dcurbanag #dcagriculture #dcurbangarden #dmvurbangarden #fallgardening #fallgardentips