FFN 2023

Summer Skill Building

In early July, our School Garden Support program team hosted the annual Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching in the Washington Youth Garden. This week-long professional development workshop brought together teams…
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Keeping an Eye to the Trees

Two invasive pests/diseases have recently moved into the DC area and are causing problems for trees and agricultural crops. Here’s what you need to know about them to help monitor…

Poetry Night

Join us Saturday, August 5th from 6:30 PM to 9 PM for Poetry Slam in the Garden! Youth will compete in this poetry competition for cash prizes, and are encouraged to perform…
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Garden Magic

The Washington Youth Garden hosts many of FONA’s programs throughout the year, grows fruits and vegetables to share with the community, and illustrates how to garden in a small space.…
southern magnolia flower blooming in the holly and magnolia collection

Get Your Hands Dirty

This school year, our Educator Coaching Program (ECP) partnered with teams of educators from 11 DC schools. This program is part of our larger School Garden Support Program, and offers…
FONA Field Notes banner of hydrangeas

From Plant to Portrait

Each school year, DC students aged pre-kindergarten through middle school visit the Washington Youth Garden on field trips. While FONA staff lead many of these trips, for the first time this…
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Planting Seeds for the Future

Our garden team harvested 423 pounds of garlic from Washington Youth Garden last week! Harvesting garlic is a major milestone each year in WYG. Last fall, over 200 families, volunteers, and…
FONA Field Notes banner of allium flowers

Summer Event Guide

Enjoy summer at the National Arboretum! We’re collaborating with lots of local partners to host exciting activities and events this season, including…
FONA Field Notes banner of hydrangeas in front of the Visitor Center

Infrastructure Projects at the Arboretum

If you’ve been to the National Arboretum in the last few months, you may have noticed some major construction projects underway. A new, taller ornamental perimeter fence is replacing the…
FONA Field Notes banner of a bee on a flower

Planting Trees for Ukraine

Last week, the National Arboretum and U.S. Department of Agriculture welcomed special guests from Ukraine for a ceremonial tree planting. The Arboretum planted a Fort McNair pink horsechestnut (Aesculus x…
FONA Field Notes banner of azalea flowers
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