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 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.
Native Plant Sale this Saturday!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Hosted by FONA
Hosted by the U.S. National Arboretum and other partners
RECENT SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
Friends of the National Arboretum Instagram: @FONArboretum
Our Garden Fair & Plant Sale on Saturday, April 25th is FONA's largest event of the year! It runs from 9 AM to 4 PM in the New York Avenue parking lot, with a free shuttle available to transport visitors from other lots around the Arboretum to the event. Register for the Garden Fair at the link in bio. This year's event will feature over 25 vendors selling plants, gardening supplies, home goods, food, and beverages. DC Child Care Connections will offer free family-friendly activities during part of the day. FONA will also sell thousands of plants in our Plant Sale tent, which is run by FONA and a group of dedicated volunteers. 100% of the proceeds from these particular plants support FONA's work at the Arboretum. FONA members get early access to the Plant Sale tent from 9 AM to 11 AM, before this tent opens to the public. Donate any amount at the link in bio to become a member and shop early. Alt text embedded. . . . #dmvplantsale #dcplantsale #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #familyactivitiesdc #gardenfair #outdooractivitiesdc
This Saturday is the first day for FONA's Hop-On Shuttle! Swipe to discover what you can see at each stop➡️ From dogwoods to magnolias, the Capitol Columns to the Anacostia River, our shuttle is the perfect way to explore all that the Arboretum has to offer. Hop on and off to explore the collections without having to drive and re-park! FONA members ride for free on April 18th! Donate any amount at the link in bio to become a member. Please note that pets are not permitted aboard the shuttle, but service animals are welcome. Click the link in bio to learn more about the shuttle and purchase tickets ($5). . . Alt text embedded. . . #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #cherryblossomsdc #cherryblossomsdc2026 #outdooreventsdc
Discover the remarkable beauty and history of the National Arboretum's flowering cherry trees this spring. The Arboretum maintains one of the most scientifically significant flowering cherry collections in the United States, and it’s starting to bloom right now. The Arboretum’s cherry blossom display is gaining recognition as one of the best cherry blossom experiences in Washington, D.C. Take a Self-Guided Tour Beyond the Tidal Basin is a three-mile-long self-guided tour that takes you to 40 ornamental cherry trees throughout the Arboretum. It introduces a wide variety of flowering cherries, many of which are quite rare. Each type has its own peak bloom time, so you will see different trees in peak bloom depending on when you visit. Stops on the tour are marked with bright pink signs, and have QR codes that lead to more information about each tree. If driving, please park only in designated areas. Use the Beyond the Tidal Basin booklet linked in bio to help guide your tour. Graphic (slide 2) courtesy of the U.S. National Arboretum Alt text embedded. . . . #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #cherryblossomsdc #cherryblossomsdc2026
Last weekend's Flowering 5K was one for the books — great people, great weather, and great flowers 🌸 Congratulations to Ben Stephenson for coming in 1st place (photo 1)! He finished the race in 17:39 — an accomplishment made even more impressive as he pushed a stroller the entire race. Congratulations as well to Jonathan Carter (photo 2) and Kelsey Hochleitner (photo 3) for coming in 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The hustle these top three finishers displayed on the course was evident in their final sprints uphill to the finish line. Thank you to everyone who participated in last weekend's race and brought such amazing energy to the National Arboretum! We can’t wait to see you again for our Fall 5K on October 31st, 2026 (registration is coming soon). . . . #nationalarboretum #usna #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #capitolcolumns #dc #dcevents #cherryblossoms #cherryblossomsdc #dccherryblossoms #5k #5krun #cherryblossomdc #spring #springflowers @racinemultisports