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N° 138 — February 22, 2023

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

Dive Deeper

Earlier this month, we highlighted the role Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company 1360 had in building the National Arboretum's infrastructure. This company was an all-Black unit stationed at the National Arboretum from 1933 to 1941.


Since then, ABC 7 News interviewed Dr. Richard T. Olsen, Director of the National Arboretum, about the CCC's work at the Arboretum and the company's lasting legacy. Watch the interview and see photos from CCC Camp NA-1 that have never before been shared publicly.


Watch the Interview >

Members of CCC Company 1360, an all African American unit stationed at the National Arboretum. Photo from the National Arboretum.

Our garden team has started planting seeds in the Arboretum's polyhouse to prepare for Washington Youth Garden's spring growing season. The team will transplant the seedlings into garden beds once they grow bigger and the weather warms up.


FONA's work at the Washington Youth Garden would not be possible without incredible support from the National Arboretum. In addition to sharing space in greenhouses, the Arboretum staff also share resources and equipment throughout the year. Most recently, Kevin Conrad used Arboretum machines to help our team remove metal edging that had been buried underground for years. We greatly appreciate the Arboretum's support and expertise!

Join Our Team

Applications for our two seasonal positions close this Monday, February 27th! Apply today to join our team 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.


Youth Programs Educator >

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

Dreaming Out Loud is just one of 41 farms featured in Future Harvest's list of Black owned and operated DMV farms. Photo from Future Harvest.

Support Black Owned Farms

As the growing season begins for farmers across the region, we would like to highlight Black owned and operated farms in the DMV you can support this spring. This list of 41 farms, created by Future Harvest Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, also includes local food justice organizations you can support and other resources for BIPOC farmers.


When possible, purchasing produce directly from farmers at markets or through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares is the best way to support local growers.


Check Out the List of Black-Owned Farms >

From Our Friends: National Bonsai Foundation

Cultivated Stones: Chinese Scholars' Rocks from the Kemin Hu Collection is now available to orderThis 152-page book details the recent gift of Chinese stones to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. It was published by the National Bonsai Foundation and includes stunning photos and writings curated by Arboretum staff.


Order Your Copy of Cultivated Stones >

Cover from National Bonsai Foundation

Photo from National Bonsai Foundation

A selection of Chinese scholars' rocks from the Kemin Hu Collection is available to view in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum's Exhibits Gallery. See traditional landscape stones, modern stones, and animal-shaped stones. The Museum is open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM.

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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