As of February 7th, Azalea Road and parts of the Azalea Collection are closed to visitors. These closures on Mt. Hamilton occur every spring as mating season begins for the Arboretum's resident pair of bald eagles.

Mr. President and LOTUS, as the mating pair are known, have recently been busy building a nest cup. This is a soft cushion within the larger stick nest for the eagles to lay eggs. Creating a nest cup is a normal part of the nest building process. The Arboretum's eagles have built nest cups every year regardless of whether they have laid an egg.

The American Eagle Foundation has two cameras perched above the nest so you can watch the action live!

Please give wildlife space during your visit. If you see an animal at the National Arboretum, like the beavers at Springhouse Run, please keep your distance so they don't feel threatened. Please stay on the trails and do not walk on or near the beaver's structures.

Calling all DC area educators! Join our Washington Youth Garden team this Thursday, February 10th from 5 to 6:30 PM at DC Teachers Night. Learn about WYG's Green Ambassador Program and School Support Programs. Registration is required for this free virtual event cohosted by the U.S. Botanic Garden and DC Environmental Education Consortium.

Edna Lewis was considered the Grande Dame of Southern cooking. Her work as a chef and writer changed the perception of African American food, cooks, and farmers in the United States.

Edna's cookbook The Taste of Country Cooking, published in 1976, wove her personal history and the cultural significance of different Southern foods into her recipes. She also shared the importance and beauty of cooking seasonally long before the farm-to-table movement was championed by White celebrity chefs. Edna was one of the first Black women to publish a cookbook that received national attention while also not hiding her name, gender, or race.

Although Edna Lewis passed away in 2006, her legacy in American cooking lives on.

On Saturday, March 5th at 9 AM, we're hosting an "Unloneliness Walk," a special forest bathing event led by science journalist and author Florence Williams and FONA forest bathing guide Dr. Paul Jarris. This walk will explore how nature can be an antidote to suffering from grief, loneliness, and even heartbreak. Our suggested ticket price is $35, but please pay what you can to attend. This event is filling quickly — there is a waitlist if tickets are sold out.

Thank you to all our David Fairchild Society members for supporting FONA in 2021! The David Fairchild Society is a group of individuals who are passionate about supporting our work at the Arboretum. The unrestricted support of DFS members allows us to strengthen and expand our programs and events to better serve our community.

The DC region has experienced severe mail delays in recent months. If you mailed a check to FONA in 2021 but have not yet received an acknowledgement, please email us and let us know. We greatly appreciate the support of each and every member and donor.