Tuesday, September 9: An unforgettable evening of connection and impact at the National Arboretum
29TH ANNUAL DINNER UNDER THE STARS
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.
SUMMER EVENING HOURS
We’ve heard you. You want the chance to visit the National Arboretum after a long day at work. We’re making it happen all summer long! Thanks to FONA and the generosity of our supporters, the U.S. National Arboretum will stay open until 8 PM from June 1st through August 30th.*
This extended access is part of the growing public-private partnership between FONA and the National Arboretum. Summer evening hours are part of FONA’s mission to ensure the Arboretum’s gardens and collections are accessible to the public, particularly the local community, and to connect people with nature.
FONA’s summer evening hours are made possible by our members and supporters like you! You can support our work and help us make these a permanent feature at the Arboretum by:
- Becoming a FONA member. Donate any amount to FONA and you’ll automatically join our dedicated member community. If you’re already a member, please consider making an additional gift and renewing your membership early.
- Become a Summer Evening Sponsor. When you become a sponsor at the $500 level, you have a whole night dedicated just to you (or your group)! Or sponsor at a higher level and gain recognition all summer long (email donations@fona.org to learn more about higher level sponsorships).
Dates & Times
- June 1 to August 30:* Arboretum grounds will stay open until 8 PM every day
- Last admittance onto the grounds is at 7:30 PM
- * Excludes June 7, June 14, and June 21
Gates & Access
- R Street Gate (2400 R St. NE): open daily 8 AM to 8 PM
- New York Avenue Gate (3501 New York Ave. NE): open on weekdays 8 AM to 2 PM, open on weekends 8 AM to 4:30 PM
- Parking is free at the National Arboretum
- The Arboretum is not located on a Metro rail line, but is near Union Station. From there, you can take a bus, rideshare, or bike to the Arboretum.
- Capital Bikeshare has a hub outside the R Street entrance for bike rentals
Facilities
- View and download a digital map of the National Arboretum
- National Bonsai & Penjing Museum closes daily at 4:00 PM
- Visitor Center closes daily at 4:30 PM
- Restrooms and water after 4:30 PM: Arbor House, Grove parking lot, and Asian Collections parking lot
- Vending machines after 4:30 PM: Arbor House
- Food trucks will sell food at the Arboretum on select Fridays from 5 PM to 7:30 PM.View our calendar to see the vendor lineup, or apply to be a food vendor.
- If security assistance is needed, call the Arboretum Security at (202) 655-7264
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.
Rock ‘n Roll in the Herb Garden
Three Cheers to Our Garden Star!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Forest Bathing
Other Activities
RECENT SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
Friends of the National Arboretum Instagram
This year, the National Herb Garden is celebrating the vibrant world of herbs that rock, as well as those that inspire us to rock. Our new "Stories from the Field" article dives into the Herb Garden's rock ('n roll) garden theme, the inspiration behind it, and the musical connection behind some of the plants growing in it. Erin Holden, a staff gardener in the Herb Garden and the mastermind behind this year's exhibit, even created a companion playlist on Spotify so visitors can go on a scavenger hunt to find the plants that inspire each song! Link in bio to read the article and learn more about the exhibit. . . . 📸 1 Coreopsis 'Jethro Tull', courtesy of the National Arboretum 📸 2 Capsicum annuum 'Purple Rain', courtesy of the National Arboretum @usdagov #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dmv #horticulture #arboretum #botany #botanical #classicrock #rocknroll #rockgarden #garden #gardening #summer #summerflowers
Rock out at the National Arboretum on Friday, September 5th! During our next Music in the Meadow evening concert, the Route66 Band will play a medley of classic rock songs inspired by plants growing in the National Herb Garden, like ‘Purple Rain’ peppers and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ sunflowers. During the event, you can also explore a “musical instrument petting zoo”, see instruments crafted from plants, and enjoy food and beer from 4 local vendors. General admission costs $25 ($20 for FONA members), and a limited number of $15 community discount tickets are available. Children aged 12 and under can attend for free, but they must have a ticket. Link in bio to learn more and purchase a ticket. . . . 📸 #1 by Kelsey Cochran @wisteria_woman, 2024 @cumbiaheightsdc concert 📸 #2-4 by Zak Khaliqi @zawesomesauce, 2025 @buckforty9 concert #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dcevent #dmv #dmvevent #dcevents #familyfriendly #dogfriendly #outdoor #outdoorevent #concert #outdoorconcert #foodtruck #picnic #summer #eveninghours #arboretum
Cousins Maine Lobster is in the house for this week's Food Truck Friday at the National Arboretum! Grab some New England style seafood during your Friday evening adventures on August 1st. Find @cousinsmainelobster on Meadow Road near the Visitor Center from 5 PM to 7:30 PM. This Friday's summer evening hours are made possible by a donation from the Cheverly Garden Club, which has been beautifying Cheverly since 1954. When visiting the Arboretum during summer evening hours, use the R Street entrance (2400 R Street NE) for entry/exit. The grounds stay open until 8 PM, and admittance is at 7:30 PM. Link in bio for more evening hours details. . . . 📸 2 & 3 courtesy of @cousinsmainelobster #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #dc #dmv #dcevents #dmvevents #familyfriendly #dogfriendly #arboretum #free #freeevents #eveninghours #nonprofit #summer #dcsummer #arboretum #horticulture #foodtruck #datenight #datenightdc
Is your canine companion the top dog of the National Arboretum? Nominate your dog for FONA’s Dog of the Year photo contest to find out! The nomination period is open now through Monday, August 11th at 10 AM. Voting will be open to the public, and the first round will start on Wednesday, August 13th at 6 PM. You must be a FONA member to enter the photo competition. To become a member and join the contest, make a donation of any amount. You can make a one-time gift, or pledge a monthly donation and "join the pack" as a Sustaining Member. The passcode to unlock the nomination form will be included in your donation confirmation email. Huge thank you to @meganpurtellphotography for being a Top Dog Sponsor and donating the first place prize. The first place winner of the photo contest will receive a custom photography session and $700 wall art product credit — a total value of $1,000. Link in bio to learn more and to nominate your pup for Dog of the Year today! . . . #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #dc #dmv #dogfriendly #capitolcolumns #arboretum #photocontest #dogoftheyear #dcdogs #pawsinthedmv #dcdogsofinstagram #dogsofdc
Washington Youth Garden Instagram
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
Calling all families! Join us on a guided Nature Walk on Saturday, April 12th in the Washington Youth Garden. This is a free and enriching outdoor experience where you and your family can breathe, explore, and unwind together. Along the way, you'll learn fun, hands-on activities that you can take with you to explore on your own. Come out and have some fun!! Link in bio to register. . . . @fonarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #familyfriendly #dcevent #kidfriendly #nature #naturewalk #dmv #dmvevent #arboretum #washingtonyouthgarden
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