Donate any amount to join FONA and get perks at the April 26th Garden Fair & Plant Sale
MEMBERS SHOP EARLY AT THE PLANT SALE
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.
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
We’re expecting lots of visitors at the National Arboretum over the next few weekends. Please keep in mind the following things during your visit: 🚗 Please respect the new spring traffic pattern to keep everyone safe. When you approach the pedestrian pathway heading to the visitor center, cars stay to the left, walkers to the right. 🌸 To avoid crowds, visit as early in the day as possible on weekends, or visit on a weekday. The Arboretum is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. 🚆 The Arboretum is not located on a rail line, but is near Union Station. From there, you can take a bus, ride share, or bike to the Arboretum. 🚌 There are bus stops nearby that link you to the Arboretum. Use the Metro’s Trip Planner to find your best route. 🚲 Bikes are welcome at the Arboretum! Capital Bikeshare has a bike hub outside the R Street entrance that visitors can rent from. There are a few bike lanes that navigate near the Arboretum, but please be safe when biking on roads. We’re excited to welcome you and share the gorgeous spring flowers with you! . . . #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #cherryblossomseason #cherryblossomviewing #cherryblossom #cherryblossomdc #dc #visitdc #capitolcolumns
Join our team! FONA is hiring an Events Coordinator to implement our venue rental program and support a variety of community events at the U.S. National Arboretum. This part-time seasonal position requires mostly weekend work with the occasional weekday shift. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and the position is expected to start in May 2025. Link in bio to learn more and apply. . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dmv #hiring #jobopportunity #nonprofit #nonprofitjobs #eventcoordinator #dcjobs #hiringdc
Cherry blossoms and magnolias trees are blooming throughout the National Arboretum! We hope you visit the Arboretum to see these spectacular spring show. If you do, please keep the following things in mind: 🌸 To avoid crowds, visit as early in the day as possible on weekends, or visit on a weekday. The Arboretum is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. 🚘 Please respect the new spring traffic pattern to keep everyone safe (see final photo for map of plan). 🚆 The Arboretum is not located on a rail line, but is near Union Station. From there, you can take a bus, ride share, or bike to the Arboretum. 🚌 There are bus stops nearby that link you to the Arboretum. Use the Metro's Trip Planner to find your best route. 🚲 Bikes are welcome at the Arboretum! Capital Bikeshare has a bike hub outside the R Street entrance that visitors can rent from. There are a few bike lanes that navigate near the Arboretum, but please be safe when biking on roads.
We couldn't ask for a better weather forecast for our Native Plant Sale this Saturday, March 29th 🌞 No more rain like the last 2 years! The event will be held from 8 AM to 1 PM along the road next to the National Arboretum's Visitor Center. It will feature 6 local plant vendors *only* selling native plants. Please note that the Native Plant Sale is not as large of an event as our Garden Fair & Plant Sale, which will be held on April 26th. Make sure to come early — sometimes vendors sell out by lunchtime. It might be difficult to find a parking spot with the high number of weekend visitors the Arboretum experiences this time of the year. We recommend bringing your own boxes, wheeled cart, or wagon to transport plants back to your car. Link in bio to learn more and see which vendors will attend the Native Plant Sale. . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #nativeplant #nativeplants #gardening #garden #plantsale #gardensale #nursery #pollinators #dc #dcevents #dmv #dmvevents
Washington Youth Garden Instagram
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
D.C. educators, join us for our annual Spring into School Gardening event this Saturday, March 22nd! Stop by the Washington Youth Garden between 11 AM and 12:30 PM and receive free garden supplies, attend a short garden training, and network with fellow educators. Educator Coaching Program partners should arrive at 10 AM. This event is free and open to all D.C. educators. Please register at the link in bio to let us know you're coming! . . . @fonarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #dc #dcps #dcteachers #dcevent #teacher #dceducator #schoolgarden #schoolgardens #garden
Saturday’s weather forecast is looking absolutely gorgeous for the annual Bulb Sale & Garlic Planting Party. We hope you will join us in the Washington Youth Garden on October 26th and help us celebrate fall! The main event is from 11 AM to 2 PM in the garden. If you’re a FONA member, come early at 10 AM for a casual member social hour with tea, coffee, and snacks. During the main event, shop for edible and decorative bulbs to plant now for spring blooms. You can also plant garlic in WYG that we will harvest next year, harvest sweet potatoes from the garden, enjoy free family-friendly art activities, food tastings, and more. Gale Livingstone from @deeprootsfarm will also have freshly prepared, authentic Caribbean food with the taste of the islands for sale (make sure to come early in case they sell out). Wearing costumes is highly encouraged! We recommend parking in the Grove Parking Lot, which is a short 5 minute walk from there to WYG. Handicap parking is also available next to the garden in the Fern Valley Parking Lot. Scroll to see a map of where to park, and see link in bio for full event schedule and to learn more. . . . Posted @withregram • @fonarboretum 📸 2 by Kelsey Cochran #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #dc #dcevent #dmv #dmvevent #bulbsale #fall #fallgarden #garden #volunteer #garlic #familyfriendly #kidfriendly