N° 34 — December 22, 2020
Please enjoy our regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.

Merry Christmas! The Arboretum is open 8 AM - 5 PM every day except Dec. 25th. Some buildings and collections remain closed to ensure visitor and staff safety.
Thank you — your support helps us keep you informed and makes
FONA Field Notes possible.
Our Year in Numbers
As we say goodbye to 2020 and look to a fresh new year, we want to thank you for your support and update you on what has turned out to be quite a big year for FONA.

From the Field: American Hollies
The U.S. National Arboretum has one of the largest and oldest assemblages of cultivars of American holly (Ilex opaca) you’ll find anywhere today.

There was a time not so long ago when the species was considered to be in serious decline, with the choicest specimens being poached during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to satisfy appetites for living holiday decorations.
The DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) recently featured one of our school gardens in their Sprout it Out newsletter.

Friendship Armstrong PCS participates in our Garden Science program, a multi-year partnership to develop a sustainable school garden program.

See how Alli Duda, our FoodCorps Service Member serving at Friendship Armstrong, adapted to engage students and families despite the pandemic.
Arboretum Closed Friday, Dec 25
The Arboretum grounds will be closed December 25th. Please plan to visit the hollies, camellias, and other wintery places around the Arboretum another day from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Double Your Donation
by Dec 31st
Join our David Fairchild Society. Thanks to our "FONA Rock Stars" who made generous lead gifts, all donations and pledges to FONA through Dec. 31st will be matched and your donation will be doubled.

Your support makes a difference. FONA adapted its programs this year in response to COVID to continue educating children and teachers virtually, feeding local families with produce from our gardens, strengthening community networks, and planning the Arboretum's future. Your support makes this all possible.

Join our David Fairchild Society and help shape the future of the National Arboretum.

CARES Act - Individual Giving
A reminder that all taxpayers (both those who itemize and those who use the standard deduction) can deduct $300 in charitable giving to public nonprofits in 2020.
Prior to the CARES Act, those who used standard deduction could not deduct any charitable giving.

For those who itemize their taxes, the CARES Act significantly raises the amount of the charitable giving deductible from 60% of the filer's adjusted gross income (AGI) to 100% of AGI.

Gifts to donor-advised funds and private foundations do not receive the revised deductible under this provision.
Friends of the National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002
202.544.8733
FONA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization with the mission to preserve and enhance a vibrant public space and support experiential programming that instills a love of plants, nature and the outdoors in all who visit, while promoting the overarching research and education mission of the U.S. National Arboretum.

Since its inception, FONA has helped support the Washington Youth Garden, Capitol Columns, Flowering Tree Walk, horticultural and research internships, restoration of Springhouse Run, and much more.