Lunar Eclipse Viewing has been cancelled due to rain and poor visibility.

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Support FONA with a gift of any amount.

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Membership

Become a FONA member starting at $35 and receive exclusive perks.

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David Fairchild Society

A passionate community of supporters with membership starting at $1,200.

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Other Ways to Support

Support FONA through securities, donor-advised funds, planned giving, bench donations, and more.

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ABOUT

HISTORY
POWER OF FONA
VALUES
OUR STAFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SUPPORTERS & PARTNERS

HISTORY

Friends of 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 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.

Since its beginning, FONA has raised funds for projects around the Arboretum like the Capitol Columns, Flowering Tree Walk, and Springhouse Run stream restoration. FONA also supports the Arboretum’s research, plant explorations, and collections maintenance.

Washington Youth Garden

With the help of our members we offer garden-based educational programming through the Washington Youth Garden (WYG). This program began in 1971 as part of a city initiative to encourage children living in under-resourced neighborhoods to cultivate and grow their own food. WYG celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2021 by continuing to support local youth and families.
Join us for our celebratory anniversary events

POWER OF FONA

Power of Partnerships

In 2021, FONA ensured access to greenspace by supporting the Arboretum’s COVID-19 management strategy to ensure the grounds were open and safe for over 700,000 visitors. We also invested in education by laying the groundwork for a treetop canopy trail at the Arboretum to complement our environmental education efforts. FONA strengthened local partnerships by collaborating with 52 local organizations to help us meet the needs of our community.

Power of Programs

We adapted our education programs in 2021 to fit our community’s needs and began celebrating Washington Youth Garden’s 50th Anniversary. FONA also provided more opportunities for people to connect with nature by providing more unique recreation programs and public events.

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Green Ambassadors developed new skills & addressed food insecurity in their communities

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Grow@Home garden science kits shared with DC students

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pounds of produce harvested & donated to local families

Read our 2021 End of Year Report

VALUES

Land

A connection to the land fosters the mental, physical, and spiritual wellness of individuals, communities, and the planet.

Learning

Experiential learning encourages creativity, strengthens problem-solving skills, and inspires lifelong curiosity and engagement.

Collaboration

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts: we are stronger and more impactful when we work collaboratively with each other and the communities we serve.

Responsiveness

We better meet the needs of our communities by strategically responding to our changing world.

Anti-Racism

We acknowledge the history and harms of systemic racism and recognize our duty to take action to support the reconnection of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) to the land.

Solidarity

Amplifying underrepresented voices by creating space for constructive conversations and actions ensures universal access to the Arboretum and its resources.

Joy

Sharing joy through our work connects us with others and creates positive change.

OUR STAFF

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael Stevens, Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District
Board Chair

Martha Van Dale, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
Vice Chair

Virginia Kromm, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Treasurer

John Cooney, Venable LLP, retired
Secretary

Robert Bartlett Jr., The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Co.
Zandra Chestnut, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Lynne Church, Landscape Designer and Energy Executive and Attorney, retired
Elizabeth M. Dugan, MD, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
Chandler Goule, National Association of Wheat Growers
Jennifer Hatcher, Food Marketing Institute
Grant Leslie, Glover Park Group
Anne MacMillan, Invariant, Food and Agriculture Practice
Bill Matuszeski, Chesapeake Bay and Anacostia Citizens Advisory Committees
Scot Medbury, Quarryhill Botanical Garden
Paul Meyer, Morris Arboretum, retired
Tim Petri, Former U.S. Representative, Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District, ret.
Pamela Raymont-Simpson, The Garden Club of America
Lucy S. Rhame
Barbara Shea, Founding President, Casey Trees
Lou Slade, Gorove Slade Associates
Peggy Strand, Venable LLP, retired
Nzinga Tull, Jackson and Tull
Tuckie Westfall, KraftHeinz, Director of Federal Government Affairs, retired

SUPPORTERS

PARTNERS

Potomac Unit

Trinidad Campus

Hendley Elementary School

Armstrong Elementary and Middle School

DC Beekeepers Alliance

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