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N° 144 — April 5, 2023
Enjoy regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.
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In Memoriam: Frances M. Duttkin | |
FONA recently received a generous estate gift from the late Ms. Frances M. Duttkin. Frances Duttkin was born in January 1926 in New Lyme, Ohio to Russian immigrant parents, Anton and Maria. She enjoyed helping them run the town's general store and attending Saturday night dances at the local dance hall.
Frances' career as a "government girl" led her to serve at the highest levels of the Federal government, including the Bureau of the Budget, Maritime Administration, Civil Rights Commission, and Postmaster General. Frances finished her notable career as a public servant as a top administrator at the newly formed Environmental Protection Agency, where she was instrumental in setting up regional offices throughout the United States.
During her retirement, Frances enjoyed volunteering at the Iona House in Tenleytown and attended the dances they hosted. She was also an avid gardener who loved working in her vegetable plot in the Rock Creek Park Community Garden.
It was this love of gardening that led Frances to donate her generous estate gift to FONA to support Washington Youth Garden. FONA is grateful for this gift and will honor her legacy by continuing to teach young people about gardening on the grounds of the National Arboretum.
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FONA's annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale is just around the corner on Saturday, April 29th! While this event will have thousands of plants for sale and feature dozens of local vendors (plant and vendor lists coming soon), it will also feature activities for all ages. Here's what activities to expect at this year's Garden Fair: | |
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FAMILY ACTIVITIES
10 AM - 2 PM: ARTboretum
ARTboretum is a free, family-friendly event celebrating the intersection between art and nature. Activities include nature-based crafts, a planting demonstration, book giveaway, games, and more. This child-centered event is for children ages 2 to 12, and is offered by DC Child Care Connections. Pre-registration is requested, go here to register for ARTboretum.
11:30 AM: Story Time in the Meadow - Stories, Movement, and Motion
Join The Washington Ballet for a free story time and movement class that is designed to give young readers an enjoyable experience through literature and dance. Participants will engage in interactive creative movement class while exploring pantomime movements as they relate to a storybook. Registration for this activity is sold out.
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Bottom photo by Matthew Rakola | |
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ADULT ACTIVITIES
10 AM: PILATES IN THE MEADOW
Join The Washington Ballet for a free 60-minute outdoor pilates-based fitness class. This total body conditioning class is perfect for teens and adults of all ages and body types hoping to experience a revitalizing workout. Registration for this activity is sold out, but you can add your name to the waitlist on the Eventbrite registration page.
2 PM: DIY Terrarium Workshop
This workshop, offered by Cultivate the City, takes place in the Visitor Center Auditorium. This event costs $30 and pre-registration is required. Register for the Garden Fair on Eventbrite to receive a notice when this pre-registration opens.
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Applications are now open for FONA's Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching! This professional development training will take place over four days from July 11th to 14th. Participants will learn from experienced garden educators about outdoor management techniques, foolproof activities, sustainable school garden program design, and more.
The Summer Institute is open to all returning Pre-K through 5th grade teachers, staff, or volunteers who work in a DC school with an existing school garden program. Participants receive a stipend, and schools that send two or more participants are eligible for a materials stipend to support their garden program.
Participants must apply by April 14th, and will be notified of acceptance by April 26th.
Apply for the Summer Institute >
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Photo from the U.S. National Arboretum | |
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Mr. President and LOTUS are raising two eaglets this year! Arboretum staff saw the heads of DC10 and DC11 peaking out of their parents' new nest earlier this week. These eaglets are just three weeks old. This new nest will be visible from the Fern Valley parking lot until trees leaf out. Please mind the trails that are closed off between the Fern Valley parking lots and the Langston Golf Course to give the eagles their space.
Read More About the Eaglets >
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Since the eagles are no longer nesting above the Azalea Collections, all the trails on Mt. Hamilton are open to the public this year. In years past, parts of this collection were closed in years past to give the eagles space to raise their young.
The Arboretum's famed azaleas are just beginning to bloom throughout the Azalea Collections. While peak bloom is still a few weeks off, plan your visit to see them for a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Learn About the Azalea Collections >
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We are hosting a Volunteer Open House this Saturday, April 8th from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in Washington Youth Garden. Stop by and learn about all the ways you can volunteer and support our work at the National Arboretum.
Volunteer opportunities include gardening in Washington Youth Garden, supporting FONA's public events, and helping remove invasive species at Springhouse Run. We hope to see you this Saturday!
Directions to Washington Youth Garden >
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Visit the Exhibits Gallery of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum from April 7th to 16th for a free ikebana exhibition. This annual exhibit is hosted by the Washington, DC Chapter of Ikebana International, and will feature flower arrangements representing a variety of ikebana schools and styles.
The exhibits will change out on April 10th and 13th, so plan return visits to see everything. There will also be free ikebana demonstrations in the Visitor Center on April 8th, 9th, 15th, and 16th from 1 PM to 3 PM.
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Register today for the children's workshop on Sunday, April 16th from 1 PM to 2:30 PM. This workshop will show children ages 8 to 15 how to make their own ikebana flower arrangements to take home and share. Tickets are $10 to cover the cost of materials.
Register for the Workshop >
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