Posts by Anne McGarvey

Career Spotlight: Susan Bentz

Career Spotlight: Susan BentzBy Bridget DeSimonePublished October 8, 2025Have you ever admired the soft, sweeping branches of a hemlock tree and then wondered why so many once verdant canopies are…
Horticulturist Susan Bentz and gardener Thomas Abell plant cuttings from disease tolerant elms. Photo by Scott Bauer.

Appreciation & Program Pivots

The National Arboretum remains closed due to the lapse in federal funding. FONA is doing what we can to support the Arboretum, our program partners, and our community. Our SPROUT…
the capitol columns at dusk through, as seen from the national herb garden, photo by josh peterson

Government Shutdown & Nature Connections

The U.S. National Arboretum is currently closed due to the lapse in federal government funding, and will reopen once Congress restores funding. The National Arboretum is a horticultural research facility administered…
path through national herb garden in late summer, formatted as a newsletter banner

Fall Vibes & Big Smiles

In early September, FONA hosted our 29th annual Dinner Under the Stars at the National Arboretum. We were honored to have Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Alexander Vaden, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Representative…
four bonsai trees growing on a slate slab, formatted as a newsletter banner

Fall Event Guide

Fall is in the air as the weather cools and the days get shorter. Soon, the U.S. National Arboretum’s trees will brim with bright autumn colors and animals will migrate…
fall pink and white flowers blooming in the herb garden

In Good Company

This past weekend at the National Arboretum was filled with garden connections and groovy jams. At our Fall into School Gardening event in the Washington Youth Garden, dozens of D.C.…
fall anemone in bloom, formatted as a newsletter banner

Celebrating Herbs & Honoring Interns

The National Arboretum has resumed normal operating hours now that summer evening hours are over. The grounds are open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM, with last admittance at…
red hurricane lilies blooming in fall, formatted as a newsletter banner

Head Hound

And the winner of our Dog of the Year photo contest is…. Miles Morales! Congratulations! As the first place winner, Miles Morales and his owner win a custom photography session and $700…
anemone flower in the national herb garden, formatted as a newsletter banner

The Name of the Wind

FONA’s Dinner Under the Stars is unlike any other event at the National Arboretum. Full of connection and impact, this event is an unparalleled opportunity to show your support for the Arboretum while…
purple flower blooming in the national herb garden during the summer, formatted as a newsletter banner

Dog Days Are Here!

Voting is now open for our Dog of the Year photo contest! Over the next two weeks, 32 dogs will vie for top dog of the Arboretum. Voting is open to…
pink flowers blooming in the herb garden, formatted as a newsletter banner
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