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N° 137 — February 15, 2023

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

2023 Anthem Awards

We are thrilled to announce that FONA's Washington Youth Garden 50th Anniversary short film just received a Gold Anthem Award in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Community Space category.


As part of The Webby Awards,

the Anthem Awards honor the purpose and mission-driven work of people, companies, and organizations worldwide.



Award Announcement >

This anniversary short film was made in 2022 to honor the impact Washington Youth Garden has had over the past 50 years connecting DC youth to food, the land, and each other. This film was produced by Abigail Sharon and her team at Real Pictures, with generous support from Peggy Stand, a FONA board member. We are deeply honored to receive this award and be recognized at Anthem Awards Celebration in NYC at the end of February.


Watch the Anniversary Video >

Dr. Simon Liu (center) speaking with Dr. Richard T. Olsen (left), Director of the U.S. National Arboretum, and Dr. Margaret Pooler (right), USNA Research Leader, at last year's Dinner Under the Stars. Photo by Plume Photography.

Congratulations Dr. Simon Liu

FONA is excited to congratulate Dr. Simon Liu on being named as Administrator of the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Dr. Liu brings a depth of leadership experience from his public service at the Agricultural Research Service, National Library of Medicine, and U.S. Departments of Justice and Treasury.


FONA thanks Dr. Liu for his longstanding support of the U.S. National Arboretum and FONA, and looks forward to his leadership.


Read Dr. Liu's Position Announcement >

Join Our Team

We're looking for people to join our team! We are currently accepting applications for the following positions:


School Garden Support Educator >

This full-time seasonal position will support the School Garden Support program team’s work in schools from March through November. Application closes February 27th.


Youth Programs Educator >

This full-time seasonal position will support the Green Ambassadors Program and SPROUT program from March through November. Application closes February 27th.

Exploring the Herbarium

Members of FONA's David Fairchild Society recently toured the National Arboretum's Herbarium, which houses over 700,000 dried and preserved plant specimens. Dr. Harlan Svoboda, Herbarium Curator, gave the tour and Joe Hughes, the Herbarium's ORISE intern, demonstrated how specimens are pressed and mounted.


Watch Our Digging In with Dr. Svoboda to Learn About the Herbarium >

FONA is grateful for the Arboretum staff who give their time to share their expertise with our DFS members on tours like these. We are also thankful for the support of all of our David Fairchild Society members, who are exceptionally dedicated to FONA and the National Arboretum.


Learn More About the David Fairchild Society >

In Case You Missed It...

Check out FONA's newly published 2022 Annual Report! Last year, 11,700 people attended 18 public FONA events and programs, and our garden education programs connected 7,642 DC Title 1 students to food, the land, and each other.


Check out the report to see for yourself FONA's impact and accomplishments in 2022.


Read FONA's 2022 Annual Report >

Upcoming Events

Connecting Cultures: Japanese Flowering Cherries in America

March 18, 1 PM - 4:30 PM

Cherry tree symposium hosted by the National Arboretum

Details & Registration >


36th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium

March 25, 9:30 AM - 3:45 PM

Native plant symposium hosted by the National Arboretum

Details & Registration >


Native Plant Sale

March 25, 8:15 AM - 2 PM

Local native plant vendors

Details & Registration >


Garden Fair & Plant Sale

Saturday, April 29th

Details coming soon

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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