N° 160 — August 16, 2023
Enjoy regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.
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"Once in a Blue Moon" Full Moon Events | One of the benefits of being a FONA member is getting early notification of some special FONA events at the National Arboretum. We first shared with members about our two Once in a Blue Moon full moon events during the evening of Thursday, August 31st, and the Full Moon Hike is already sold out. However, you can still add your name to the hike waitlist, or register for the full moon forest bathing walk. | |
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Full Moon Forest Bathing
Thursday, August 31 | 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Join our nature and forest therapy guide in this two-hour program that encourages you to slow down and take in the National Arboretum through all your senses. Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, is the simple practice of taking in the woods through the senses for health benefits. While some people choose to walk extensively during this forest bathing walk, many others choose to sit and get to know specific areas of the collection. Please pay what you can to attend this event — our suggested ticket price is $35, or $28 for FONA members.
Purchase a Forest Bathing Ticket >
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Full Moon Hike
Thursday, August 31 | 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Spend the evening taking in the August blue supermoon as you explore the National Arboretum's moonlit gardens, meadows, and woods. Your guide will share specially chosen points of interest and seasonal highlights. The two-hour walk will cover about 3 miles over hilly and uneven terrain. It is a brisk walk, not a garden tour, so prepare accordingly. Tickets are sold out, but you can add your name to the waitlist in case space becomes available.
Add Your Name to the Hike Waitlist >
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August is National Make-a-Will Month, and it's a great time to pause and plan ahead for the people, pets, places, and causes you care about. FONA believes that having a will is crucial for everyone, and we want our community to feel safe and secure when recording their wishes. Through our partnership with FreeWill, you can make or update your will for free in 20 minutes or less.
Creating a will can bring you security, peace of mind, and impact. If you choose, you can include a legacy gift to FONA in your will, which will help us preserve and enhance the Arboretum for generations to come. You will also become a member of FONA's Heritage Society, a dedicated group of individuals who share a love of plants, nature, and the outdoors.
Create Your Will Today >
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The search for DC's largest tree is officially over! After collecting submissions from citizen scientists all across the city, Casey Trees has verified the largest tree in DC is a chestnut oak that lives in Battery Kimble Park.
The National Arboretum's massive willow oak came in second place, losing to the chestnut oak by only 3" in circumference, or 0.95" in diameter at breast height.
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This tree lives in the crapemyrtle research fields near Springhouse Run. Although the Arboretum's willow oak has been around for well over 100 years, this tree is coming to the end of its life. It has sustained substantial damage over the past decade from storms and carpenterworms, and it has never been able to recover. A storm caused further damage this July, making it unsafe to be near. Please keep your distance from the tree and stay behind the roped off areas.
Read the Full Report from Casey Trees >
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Tickets are almost sold out for our 27th annual Dinner Under the Stars on Tuesday, September 19th. Enjoy cocktails in the National Herb Garden and a tented dinner in view of the Capitol Columns. Plus, spend a magical fall evening with friends, colleagues, business leaders, and government representatives while supporting FONA through this annual fundraiser.
Secure your tickets or tables before they're gone! A limited number are still available.
Email Cathy to Reserve Your Spot >
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Largeflower heartleaf (Hexastylis shuttleworthii) is a plant native to the Southeastern United States and acts as appealing groundcover in a woodland environment. They have small, heart-shaped leaves dappled in attractive patterns, and small jug-shaped flowers. They are one of a handful of species of heartleaf native to the area, and can be grown from rhizomes in moist, shady gardens. Hexastylis are a segregate of the Asarum family, which has similar wild ginger plants originating in Asia. A variety of Hexastylis can be found in Fern Valley, and their Asarum relatives are in the Asian Collections and the gardens around the Bonsai Museum.
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 summer (Photo by U.S. National Arboretum).
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From Our Friends: Smithsonian Associates |
Join the Smithsonian Associates for Bonsai: Small Wonders, a virtual lecture held on Wednesday, August 23rd from 12 PM to 1:30 PM. Michael James, Curator of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, and Ann McClellan, author of Bonsai and Penjing, Ambassadors of Peace and Beauty, will share an illustrated talk about the Arboretum's National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Learn about the history of some of the trees in the museum, as well as tips for how to care for bonsai. This lecture costs $30 to attend, or $25 for Smithsonian Associate members.
Register for the Virtual Bonsai Lecture >
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Full Moon Forest Bathing
August 31, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Guided meditation in the meadow
Registration >
Full Moon Hike
August 31, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Moonlit hike through gardens & collections
Add Name to Waitlist >
Fall into School Gardening
September 9, 11 AM - 12 PM
Free resources for educators, in WYG
Details Coming Soon!
Dinner Under the Stars
September 19, 5:30 PM - 9 PM
Cocktails & tented dinner in the Meadow
Purchase a Ticket or Table >
Fall Festival
September 30
Bulb sale, local vendors, family activities
Details Coming Soon!
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Garlic Planting Party & Poetry Slam
October 28, 11 AM - 2 PM
Fall planting, crafts, and youth poetry competition in Washington Youth Garden
Details Coming Soon!
Fall 5K
November 12, 9 AM
Run or walk through stunning fall foliage
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 >
Yoga in the Grove
Saturdays at 10 AM
Find your flow with Bluebird Sky Yoga
Registration >
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