Last week, the National Arboretum and U.S. Department of Agriculture welcomed special guests from Ukraine for a ceremonial tree planting. The Arboretum planted a Fort McNair pink horsechestnut (Aesculus x carnea 'Fort McNair'), which is a cross between a European hosechestnut and an American red buckeye. Horsechestnuts are an important symbol of Kyiv, Ukraine, and are found throughout the city. This tree can be found on the hillside below the Morrison Garden in the Azalea Collections, overlooking the Ellipse Meadow.

Guests included Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., and Olena Gnes and Serhii Haranskyi, Ukranian refugee journalists.

This event highlights the importance of the international exchange of plant germplasm, and the need to safeguard it at repositories around the world. The National Arboretum and USDA Agricultural Research Service currently hold 3,000 accessions from Ukraine.

Watch a Video Commemorating the Event >

We are excited to welcome new and returning seasonal staff to the FONA programs team:

Caroline Brown joined the FONA staff this season as a School Garden Support Educator. She previously attended William & Mary, where she majored in Elementary Education and Hispanic Studies. She earned her Master's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Virginia. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, being active, and spending time with her cat, Chai.

Erin Close joined FONA's team as the Demonstration Garden Assistant. Erin has worked in local food access for 10 years, including as the Director of Arcadia’s Mobile Market. When not in the Washington Youth Garden, she also works with Owl’s Nest Farm in Upper Marlboro, MD and with DC Department of Parks and Recreation's communal farms across DC. Erin is most happy when sharing her excitement with others about food and nature, like discovering the first garlic scapes of the season!

Max Skoglund joined the FONA staff as the Youth Programs Educator. He grew up in Rockville, MD along Rock Creek Park, where he developed his passion for the outdoors from a young age. Eventually, this led him to study Environmental Science and Culture at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he focused his interests around sustainable food systems and the relationship communities have with their local environment. He is excited to be in a position where he can help people connect with the land and learn about themselves in the process.

Mariyah Whitley and Cherri Wojnar both return this year to support the programs team in Washington Youth Garden. Breyonna Evans and Stephanie Mui also return this year as Venue Rentals Coordinators to help our weddings and corporate events run smoothly.

Thank you to all who attended our Music in the Meadow spring concert with Cumbia Heights this past weekend! Although we moved the event to Sunday due to weather, 430 people attended the event to listen, dance, and eat as the sun set over the meadow.

We love celebrating music and culture through outdoor events like this at the National Arboretum. Funds raised from community events allow FONA to host more public events and programs and connect people to nature at the National Arboretum.

Eager to hear more music at the National Arboretum? Join us for an afternoon concert with the U.S. Navy Band on Sunday, June 11th at 2 PM. The Concert Band, the wind ensemble of the Navy Band, will perform at the event. This event is free, but please register so you can receive event updates.

Concert Information & Registration >

Join the Urban Adventure Squad on Saturday, May 20th from 1 PM to 3 PM at the National Arboretum for We Fly Together. This free community event celebrates urban birding and is open to participants of all ages. Attendees can practice bird identification, create field guides, and learn how to use binoculars. The event is funded by the Cornell Lab's Celebrate Urban Birds project. It will take place in the Friendship Garden behind Arbor House, directly next to the R Street Entrance.

Summer 5K

June 3, 8 AM

Run or walk through collections in bloom, members use discount code

Register for the Race >

Music in the Meadow:

U.S. Navy Band

June 11, 2 PM - 3:30 PM

Afternoon concert in the meadow

Details & Registration >

Springhouse Run Volunteer Days

Various dates and times

Keep the restored stream healthy

Upcoming Dates & Registration >

Forest Bathing Walks

Various dates and times

Meditation and mindfulness

Upcoming Dates & Registration >