Fall 5K, Bulb Sale, Garlic Planting Party, Vegan Fest, and more!
CONNECT WITH NATURE AT A FALL EVENT
ARE YOU CURIOUS BY NATURE?
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.
Share the gift of the Arboretum
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.
Learn about our education programs & Washington Youth Garden
UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Forest Bathing
Other Activities
RECENT POSTS
Friends of the National Arboretum Instagram
Fire up your tastebuds for the annual Chile Celebration at the National Arboretum this Saturday! Stop by the National Herb Garden on Saturday, October 12th from 1 PM to 4 PM. Visitors can learn about chile peppers, try different varieties, and taste an array of foods infused with chiles like salsa, hot chocolate, and pickled peppers. This event is hosted by multiple Mid-Atlantic Units of the @herbsocietyofamerica. This is a free, informal, drop-in event open to the public. . . . #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #herbsociety #herbsocietyofamerica #chile #chilepeppers #dcevents #dmv #dmvevents #familyfriendly #freeevent
Big stars lit up the night during the 28th annual Dinner Under the Stars last month. We were honored to have Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack (@sectomvilsack), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) (@senatordebbiestabenow), and Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA) (@congressman_gt) as our esteemed speakers. We're grateful for their support of the important work taking place at the U.S. National Arboretum. Thank you to the hundreds of guests who joined us for this event! Proceeds from the Dinner enable FONA to support and promote the National Arboretum so all can enjoy its open green space and the fruits of its research. Thank you also to our top sponsors for making this event possible: @lifeatbartlett, @bayerus, @internationalpaper / @afandpa, and Margaret Strand. We also couldn’t host this event without the dedication of our Dinner co-chairs, Martha Van Dale, Chandler Goule, and Anne MacMillan. . . . 📸 @lissaryanphotography @mtghospitality @spilledmilkdc @selecteventgroup @bookextraordinary @flowersxflores #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #nationalarboretum #dc #dcevents #usda #usdaars #dinnerunderthestars
The SoulFULL Vegan Fest at the National Arboretum is this Sunday! Stop by this FREE event in the New York Avenue parking lot on Sunday, October 13th from 11 AM to 4:30 PM. Taste amazing vegan dishes, shop from local vendors, and learn more about a plant-based lifestyle. There will also be live music and inspiring speakers! We’re so excited to co-host this event with @soulfullveganevents. Link in bio to learn more about the event. . . . 📸 by Kelsey Cochran #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #veganfest #dc #dcevents #dmv #dmvevents #vegan #veganfestival #freeevent #familyfriendly
We're hosting a special volunteer event this Saturday for service members, veterans, military retirees, and their families in honor of National Public Lands Day. Join us on Sept. 28th from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the @washyouthgarden and help us plant native fruit trees along the garden's edges. Not a veteran or service member? All are welcome to participate! Stick around after the volunteer morning for our National Public Lands Day event. We'll have family-friendly activities around the garden from 11 AM to 1 PM. At noon, hear a few highlights from our partners at the @neefusa_org, @u.s.forestservice, and U.S. National Arboretum. Link in bio to learn more and register! . . . #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dc #dmv #dcevents #dmvevents #volunteer #volunteerdc #wyg #washingtonyouthgarden #familyfriendly #nationalpubliclandsday #npld
Washington Youth Garden Instagram
Registration is now open for fall field trips to the Washington Youth Garden! FONA's Science Program Reaching OUT (SPROUT) field trips encourage students to explore the garden through activity stations and their own curiosity. Field trips are available from September 16th through November 15th on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, and on Friday mornings and afternoons. Link in bio to register for a field trip today! . . . @fonarboretum #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #arboretum #washingtonyouthgarden #dcps #fieldtrip #dcteachers #schoolgarden #gardeneducation #fieldtrips #dcstudents #outdoorlearning
We're here to make getting back into your school garden easy! Join us for our 4th annual Fall into School Gardening event on Saturday, Sept. 14th from 11 AM to 12:30 PM in the Washington Youth Garden. Learn how to plant a fall and winter edible garden, get free supplies to start growing outside with your students, and connect with other D.C. educators. Current Educator Coaching Program school teams will meet at 10 AM. Please register to let us know you're coming (link in bio). . . . @fonarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #dcteachers #dcps #schoolgarden #gardeneducation #wyg #growinggreendreams #gardendc #garden
It's time for a picnic party! We're celebrating our new fence, and all the amazing donors and partners who made it possible. Join us in the Washington Youth Garden tomorrow, Saturday, June 8th from 11 AM to 1 PM for our Grow the Garden Party. Here's what to expect: 🥕 Garden tours 🎨 Hands-on garden and art activities, including natural dye and floral jewelry demonstrations with local artists Arrin Sutliff @tint.floral and An-Phuong Ly @anmadethis 🥁 Live music from East of the River Steel Band @eotrsteelband 🍦 Tasty treats from food vendor Paste & Rind Cheese Co @pasteandrind UPDATE: Ana's Twist and Jarabe Gourmet Pops are no longer able to join us for this event Link in bio for more info! . . . @fonarboretum #nationalarboretum #usnationalarboretum #nationalarboretumdc #washingtonyouthgarden #wyg #dc #kidfriendly #kidfriendlydc #dcevents #dmv #dmvevents #familyfriendly #familyfriendlydc #arboretum #youthgarden
Our new perimeter fence is complete — and we’re throwing a party to celebrate! Join us for the ‘Grow the Garden’ Party on Saturday, June 8th from 11 AM to 1 PM. This is a free event in the Washington Youth Garden that is open to the entire community. There will be hands-on garden and art activities, live music from East Of The River Steel Band, local food trucks, and more. Bring a blanket and a picnic, or enjoy lunch from one of the food truck vendors. Tickets are not required, but registration is encouraged to receive important event updates. Link in bio to learn more and sign up! . . . @fonarboretum @eotrsteelband #nationalarboretumdc #usnationalarboretum #dc #dcevents #familyfriendly #dogfriendly #dmv #dmvevents #washingtonyouthgarden #wyg #community
FONA FIELD NOTES NEWSLETTER
Our award-winning weekly FONA Field Notes newsletter provides timely updates on the National Arboretum, FONA, and the Washington Youth Garden. See our all our past newsletter issues, in addition to our other publications and magazines, on our Publications & Media page.
Connecting People to Public Lands
Connect with the Arboretum through our FONA Field Notes newsletter
Sign up to receive FONA Field Notes
When you sign up for our mailing list, you will receive regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Friends of the National Arboretum. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact