N° 103 — June 1, 2022
Help us celebrate Washington Youth Garden's 50th Anniversary on June 11th and 12th. Enjoy our updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and WYG.
Garden Celebrations
In less than two weeks, we'll gather as a community to celebrate Washington Youth Garden's 50th anniversary with a weekend of fun and fundraising. Join us for the following events:

The Evening Benefit will not only celebrate WYG's 50th anniversary, but will also raise money for the garden's future and the garden's redesign. Become an event sponsor today to help us reach our fundraising goals and lay the foundation for the next 50 years of garden-based education.

Eagle Update
DC9 was officially named over Memorial Day weekend! The American Eagle Foundation held a poll with various name options, and the winning name was Takoda. This name means "friend for all" in Sioux.

Takoda reached a major milestone late last week by "branching", or leaving the nest and stepping onto one of the branches that supports the nest. As Takoda builds its confidence and grip strength, it will continue venturing further on the branch for longer periods of time. This will help it prepare to fledge in the coming weeks, or fly away from the nest.
Photo from U.S. National Arboretum and American Eagle Foundation
Digging In: Bald Eagles and the Anacostia
Last week, we sat down with three local eagle experts in our latest Digging In virtual event to talk about how the Arboretum's bald eagles fit into the greater Anacostia watershed. Watch the recorded presentation to learn more about Takoda's development and how bald eagles were reintroduced into the Anacostia watershed.
Did you know FONA members get to participate live in Digging In events as part of their member benefits? We're lining up great speakers this year for this quarterly series — become a member today so you can dig in with the experts.
Photo from U.S. National Arboretum and American Eagle Foundation
Arboretum Interns
There are new faces at the National Arboretum this summer! The Arboretum has a new cohort of summer interns, who will work in plant collections, greenhouses, and research laboratories to gain hands-on horticulture experience.

FONA is proud to sponsor seven of these interns and invest in the future of horticulture. Thank you to our members and donors who make this possible!

Meet the summer interns who have already started their work and learn what aspect of the Arboretum's work they'll focus on this summer:

  • Amanda Sames: Gotelli Dwarf Conifer Collection
  • April Dale: Germplasm Research
  • Eli Rhein-Murray: Germplasm Research
  • Emily Johnson: Germplasm Research
  • Haley Gilbert: Boxwood Collection, Friendship Garden, Azalea Collections
  • Henry Basile: National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
  • Molly Patton: Arboretum Grounds at Large
  • Morgan Alexander: Introduction Garden
  • Savannah Fox: Asian Collections
  • Steph Greer-Short: Dogwood Collection
Upcoming Events
WYG 50th Anniversary Weekend
Birthday Party June 11, 11 AM - 1:30 PM
Evening Benefit June 12, 5:30 PM - 8 PM

Juneteenth in the Youth Garden
June 19, 12 PM - 2 PM
Celebrating the crops of the African diaspora

Summer 5K
June 25, 9 AM
Scenic race through collections in bloom

Movie in the Meadow: Calamity
July 13, 9 PM - 10:30 PM
Free outdoor movie with the French Embassy

U.S. Navy Band Concert
August 10, 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Free outdoor concert in the Meadow
Save the date — more details coming soon!
The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM except December 25th. Some buildings and collections remain closed to ensure visitor and staff safety.
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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