Race past collections brightly colored with fall foliage
Discounted registration for all veterans, active duty, and reserve military members
11/9: FALL 5K
Photo by A2Z Photography
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.
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 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.
Celebrating Herbs & Honoring Interns
UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Forest Bathing
Other Activities
RECENT SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
Friends of the National Arboretum Instagram
We want to hear from YOU about this summer's evening hours 🌞 For the first time ever, FONA kept the National Arboretum open to the public until 8 PM for three months straight. Thousands of visitors took this opportunity to explore the grounds at the end of a long day, enjoy the extra sunlight of summer, and see the Arboretum in a new evening light. FONA facilitated further connection to the Arboretum by hosting 14 visitor programs and nine Food Truck Fridays during summer evening hours. Please fill out a short survey at the link in bio and let us know about your evening hours experience. We hope to make evening hours a permanent feature of summer at the National Arboretum! . . . 📸 @zawesomesauce #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #dc #dmv #dcevents #dmvevents #familyfriendly #dogfriendly #arboretum #free #freeevents #eveninghours #nonprofit #summer #dcsummer #arboretum #horticulture #foodtruck #datenight #datenightdc
How well do you know your lemon-flavored herbs? Learn all about them during the next Under the Arbor event at the National Arboretum on Saturday, September 20th. The South Jersey Unit of @herbsocietyofamerica will host this event from 1 PM to 4 PM in the National Herb Garden. This is a free, informal, drop-in event open to the public. . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dmv #dcevents #dmvevents #herbsociety #herbs #herb #herbsocietyofamerica #hsa #free #freeevents #familyfriendly #arboretum #horticulture
Every year, our Green Ambassador Program welcomes D.C. high school students into the Washington Youth Garden for a six-week-long paid summer internship. This year’s 8 new and 3 returning Green Ambassadors interns... 🥕 Led food giveaways to D.C. community members, which fostered customer and community service skills that are important when starting a new job. 🛠 Put new carpentry skills to work and built two new raised garden beds in record time. 🐂 Learned about the animal side of agriculture from a veterinary student, a first for GAP! 🎨 Created a new mural for @washyouthgarden's bee hive fence For Program Manager Mariyah, who was a Green Ambassador herself before joining FONA's staff, success for GAP is about more than building careers in the environmental field. “Throughout the six weeks we emphasize seeds of intention that we are planting in each of the interns — seeds of curiosity, action, problem solving, team work, and much more. We want to model what a true environment for growth and change looks like inside the Washington Youth Garden, where the interns were met with community, challenges, exploration, sharing of knowledge, and care.” . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #greenambassadorprogram #gap #growinggreendreams #urbangarden #urbanfarming #intern #summerintern #agriculture #horticulture #dc #dmv
Grab a free pour over coffee at the Visitor Center this Saturday, September 13th! We are hosting a special coffee pop-up at the National Arboretum with our friends @offdaycoffee. From 9 AM to noon, or until coffee runs out, Off Day Coffee will make complementary made-to-order pour overs for all visitors. There is a $5 suggested donation, which will be donated directly to FONA. With beautiful weather expected on Saturday morning, we hope you will take a moment to enjoy a nice cup of coffee in the company of good people and plants. . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #popup #coffeepopup #coffee #community #free #freeevent #dcevents #dmvevents #dc #dmv #arboretum
Washington Youth Garden Instagram
Get outside and move your body in the Washington Youth Garden during our Family Workshop this Saturday, September 20th at 11 AM! Explore the garden as we walk you through some movement activities and playful games. All ages are welcome to join! Please register at the link in bio to let us know you're coming. . . . @fonarboretum #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #garden #youthgarden #washingtonyouthgarden #wyg #family #familyfriendly #familyevent #familyactivity #familyworkshop #gardenevent #outdoorevent #dc #dmv #freeevent #dcevents #dmvevents #kidfriendly
Come move and groove in the Washington Youth Garden during our upcoming Family Workshop this Saturday, August 23rd at 11 AM. Explore the garden as we walk you through some movement activities and playful games. All ages are welcome to join! Link in bio to register. . . . @fonarboretum #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #garden #youthgarden #washingtonyouthgarden #wyg #family #familyfriendly #familyevent #familyactivity #familyworkshop #gardenevent #outdoorevent #dc #dmv #freeevent #dcevents #dmvevents #kidfriendly
Calling all families! Join us next Saturday, June 21st for a free family workshop in celebration of Juneteenth! We'll be preparing a tasty harvest-to-table dish with fruits and veggies picked from the Washington Youth Garden. Come out to the garden from 11 AM to 12:30 PM for this special activity. Registration is required — link in bio to sign up. . . . @fonarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #nationalarboretum #dc #dmv #dcevent #familyfriendly #kidfriendly #nature #farmtotable #urbangarden #arboretum #horticulture #washingtonyouthgarden #juneteenth #freeevent
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