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N° 165 — September 20, 2023

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

An Evening Under the Stars

Thank you to all who joined us for our 27th annual Dinner Under the Stars on Tuesday night! Four hundred people enjoyed a beautiful fall evening at our biggest fundraiser of the year.


In addition to mingling over dinner and drinks, guests also heard from many speakers. Michael Stevens, FONA's Board Chair, welcomed guests and emphasized the strong partnership between FONA and the National Arboretum. Dr. Richard T. Olsen, Director of the National Arboretum, shared Arboretum's role in discovering novel plants and preserving germplasm for generations to come. Zayn Siddique, Principal Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council at the White House, discussed how important agriculture and access to healthy food is to Americans.


Thank you to all our event sponsors and donors, especially lead sponsors Bartlett Tree Experts, Corn Refiners Association, and Nutrien. We are also grateful to in-kind donations from Sazerac and Right Proper Brewing Company, which is located right in Northeast DC. Finally, we are extremely grateful for event co-chairs Chandler Goule, Anne MacMillan, Catherine Nottingham, and Shelly Rodgers.

Fall Festival & Bulb Sale

Join us Saturday, September 30th for our Fall Festival & Bulb Sale at the National Arboretum! We will be selling 52 different varieties of bulbs — many of which are new to our sale and our supplier. Fourteen local arts, gardening, and food vendors will also have goods for sale at the festival.


There will also be tons of free family activities hosted by our partners DC Child Care Connections. Activities include a falconry demonstration with raptor expert Rodney Stotts, planting demonstrations, nature-based crafts, a book giveaway, and much more. Registration for the family activities is encouraged by not required.


Learn More & Register for the Event >

Bottom photo by Marie Joabar

Green Ambassadors built two new raised beds in the Washington Youth Garden as their Farm Crew legacy project.

Green Ambassador Recap

Twelve Green Ambassadors joined us this summer for our Farm Crew, a six-week-long paid summer internship for DC teens. The program develops skills like gardening, cooking, carpentry, communication, and collaboration.


This year's program put a strong emphasis on environmental and agricultural career opportunities. Through five field trips and a career panel luncheon, Green Ambassadors met people from all backgrounds doing meaningful and impactful work in the community. Many crew members noted that they were considering more "green" careers after being exposed to new experiences and possibilities through the Farm Crew. The Green Ambassador Program's long-term goal is to connect program alumni to career opportunities at FONA, the National Arboretum, and other environmental organizations in DC.

Garden Tips: How to Prep a Garden Bed

There's still time to get some fall and winter crops in the ground! Our program team recently shared how to prepare a garden bed in our quarterly School Garden Gateway email newsletter. Here's how you can build better soil while doing less work:


  1. Weeding: Remove weeds, including their roots, and shake off the soil. If there are a lot of weeds, try steps 2 and 3.
  2. Removing Crops/Plants: Cut crops at the base to remove, but leave the root system in the soil to decompose.
  3. Sheet Mulching: Add a layer of cardboard or newspaper on top of the soil to suppress weeds and maintain soil structure. Wet the sheet mulch if planning to transplant immediately.
  4. Adding Organic Matter: Add a thick layer of compost (2-3 inches) on top of the sheet mulch.
  5. Planting: Make a hole with a trowel (make sure to puncture through the sheet mulch). Direct sow seeds or transplant seedlings into the hole, gently cover with soil, press into place.


See our School Garden Plant List & Garden Planner for More Fall Planting Inspiration >

Participants at our recent Fall into School Gardening event practiced how to prepare a garden bed with FONA staff in the Washington Youth Garden.

Photos by Anacostia Riverkeeper

From our Friends: Anacostia Riverkeeper

Join the Anacostia Riverkeepers on Saturday, September 23rd for Splash, the first permitted swim in the Anacostia River in over 50 years. Participants will be able to briefly swim in the river off the Kingman Island Dock from 12 PM to 4:30 PM. Participants must register in advance for a 20-minute swimming time slot.


Swimming in the Anacostia River has been illegal since 1971 due to water quality safety concerns. However, an immense amount of work has been done by citizens, organizations, and the city of DC to improve water quality and make the river swimmable again.


Event Details & Registration >

Upcoming Events

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 >

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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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