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N° 164 — September 13, 2023

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

Examples of garden fences that incorporate wooden elements into their construction. WYG's new perimeter fence will incorporate honeycomb elements into its design.

Help us 'Grow the Garden'

FONA is taking the next step in our Grow the Garden campaign to improve the Washington Youth Garden. Our vision for this campaign is to make the Washington Youth Garden more engaging, accessible, and productive. Renovating the perimeter fence is a key part of this large-scale project.


Updating the existing fence will:

  • Create a visible, central entry point to the garden by adding a front entrance
  • Incorporate honeycomb elements to make the fence more visually interesting
  • Make the garden more productive by allowing vehicle access into the garden and expanding the growing space
  • Keep out deer, raccoons, and groundhogs


Donate today and together we can grow the garden! We need our community's help to reach our $150,000 goal. Whether it's $15, $50, or $500, your donation at any level makes a difference. Since the Washington Youth Garden is a community space, we want this campaign to be a community effort.


Donate to 'Grow the Garden' >

Dinner Under the Stars

We are releasing a limited number of tickets for the upcoming Dinner Under the Stars this 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. Tickets start at $350 — get yours before they are gone!


Email Cathy to Get Your Ticket >

Top, an adult spotted lanternfly with its wings open. Bottom, a spotted lanternfly egg mass (photos by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture).

Spotted Lanternfly

As we shared earlier this summer, spotted lanternflies have moved into the Mid-Atlantic region. This invasive insect poses a serious risk to the agriculture and horticulture industries, since they feed on over 100 species of herbaceous plants.


Adult spotted lanternflies are beginning to lay eggs for next year. It is important to destroy them at any stage of the life cycle to help stop the spread. These insects have spread so quickly due to humans inadvertently moving materials contaminated with egg masses. Learn how to identify the insect in all its life stages. When you see a sign of the insect, report it to your local State Department of Agriculture or Extension office (quick links for reporting in DC, Maryland, or Virginia).


Learn More About How to Stop the Spread of Spotted Lanternfly >

5K Early Bird Prices Ending Soon

Lock in early bird pricing for FONA's Fall 5K before prices increase at midnight on September 18th! Enjoy autumn at the Arboretum during the Fall 5K, held on Sunday, November 12th. Early Bird Registration costs $40 and includes a race t-shirt (FONA members, email us to receive the 20% off discount code).


Register Today with Early Bird Prices >

From our Friends: Herb Society of America

Join the South Jersey Unit of the Herb Society of America for an Under the Arbor event this Saturday, September 16th from 1 PM to 4 PM. Learn about ginger, the 2023 Herb of the Year, and lemon herbs. This informal, drop-in event is free and open to the public. It will be held in the National Herb Garden near the Visitor Center.

Upcoming Events

Dinner Under the Stars

September 19, 5:30 PM - 9 PM

Cocktails & tented dinner in the Meadow

Email Cathy to Reserve a Spot >


Fall Festival

September 30

Bulb sale, local vendors, family activities

Details & Registration >


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 >


Yoga in the Grove

Saturdays at 10 AM

Find your flow with Bluebird Sky Yoga

Registration >

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

Check Our Website for Full Details >

Become a Member
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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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