FONA Field Notes

Many fruits and vegetables with rich cultural connections to our D.C. community grow in the Washington Youth Garden. The hakurei turnip is one such vegetable growing in the garden right now. The hakurei…

It is with heavy hearts that we share news of Scott Aker’s passing on October 13, 2025. Scott joined the National Arboretum’s team in 1992, and spent 30 years sharing…

When Harold Belcher was a teenager growing up in Cheverly, Maryland in the 1960s, the U.S. National Arboretum became his haven. “I would ride my bike all over and wander…

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 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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…