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N° 167 — October 4, 2023

Enjoy regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.

Nature Reading Nook

Children can now sit back, relax, and enjoy a book in our new reading nook. This is the newest addition to the Nature Explore Classroom (NEC), which is found just outside the western gate of the Washington Youth Garden. All guests are welcome to borrow a book from the mini library during their visit — please just return it when done.


The NEC features other opportunities for kids to interact with and play in nature, such as musical instruments, a stage, a sandbox, and more. Funding for continued maintenance and additions to the NEC was provided by the Department of Parks and Recreation Rec for All program and the Capitol Hill Community Foundation.

Participants show off the Summer 5K race t-shirt after completing the race. Photo by Beth Haubach.

5K Prices Increase Soon

Fall 5K registration prices increase this Monday, October 9th at midnight! Regular Registration costs $45 and includes a race t-shirt (FONA members, use your 20% off member discount code). Starting on October 9th, race t-shirts will only be available while supplies last to Late and Race Weekend Registrants. Sign up now and join us for our Fall 5K on Sunday, November 12th at 9 AM. Runners and walkers are both welcome!


Register for the Fall 5K >

Plant Spotlight

Many of the American persimmons (Diospyros virginiana) at the National Arboretum were found naturally growing on the grounds. They are native to much of the Southern and Eastern United States, with fruit ripening in mid-to-late autumn. There are cultivars available that have seedless, less astringent fruits, but even the wild plants can produce a sweet harvest. Ripe fruits are great baked into desserts, canned as preserved, or even eaten raw. Aside from fruit, American persimmons produce white flowers in the spring and the leaves turn orange or red in the fall. Native tree lovers can visit the Grove, Washington Youth Garden, Flowering Tree Collection, or Gotelli Conifer Collection to find the wild trees.


Kamala Codrington-White, an ORISE fellow at the National Arboretum, shares plants of note at the Arboretum in this new recurring segment. Find these plants on your next trip to the Arboretum this fall (Photo by U.S. National Arboretum).

Top, flowers arranged for the dinner (photo by Plume Photography). Bottom, flowers get a second life after the event (photo by Plants & Blooms ReImagined via Instagram).

Second Life for Flowers

Have you ever heard of recycling flowers? Each year, we strive to not only locally source the flowers we use for the Dinner Under the Stars, but we also donate them after the event so they continue to bring joy to people.


Our flowers come from flowers x flores, a regenerative agriculture farm in Hyattsville, MD. Owner Cristina Flores worked many years ago as an educator at the Washington Youth Garden before starting her own farm. Cristina's blooms provide a critical food source for urban pollinators, and create conversations around sustainability and equity in agriculture. You might have even bought some of Cristina's flower seedlings at the Garden Fair this year!


After the event, these flowers are then donated to Plants & Blooms ReImagined. This DC nonprofit uses second-hand flowers and plants for horticultural therapy. Founder Kaifa Anderson-Hall harnesses the healing power of plants and flowers as a way of connecting vulnerable members in our community with nature while also enhancing wellness. Kaifa is also a former student participant, volunteer, and Program Director of the Washington Youth Garden.

From our Friends: Herb Society of America

Multiple Mid-Atlantic Units of the Herb Society of America will host a Chile Celebration at the National Arboretum this Saturday, October 7th 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 will take place under the arbors of the National Herb Garden, and is free and open to the public.

Photo by Philadelphia Unit of the Herb Society of America.

Upcoming Events

Garlic Planting Party

October 28, 11 AM - 2 PM

Fall planting, crafts, and more in Washington Youth Garden

Details & Registration >


Fall 5K

November 12, 9 AM

Run or walk through stunning fall foliage (Members use your discount code)

Details & Registration >


Winter Festival & Tree Sale

December 2, 10 AM - 4 PM

Holiday market, Christmas trees, activities

Details Coming Soon!


Christmas Tree Sale

December 3, 10 AM - 4 PM

Purchase Christmas trees & holiday greenery

Details Coming Soon!


Volunteer in Washington Youth Garden

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

Opportunities for individuals, groups, & teens

Details & Registration >


Forest Bathing Walks

Various dates and times

Meditation and mindfulness

Upcoming Dates & Registration >

The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM except December 25th.

Check Our Website for Full Details >

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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.

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