Take a walk through plant evolution with Dr. Richard Olsen, Director of the National Arboretum, in a recent GardenDC podcast episode.

Dr. Olsen discusses the evolutionary history of ancient plants like cycads, conifers, waterlilies, and more. He also shares how ancient plants fit into home gardens and where you can find them at the U.S. National Arboretum.

A team of researchers led by the U.S. Botanic Garden and The Morton Arboretum recently found a single oak tree from a species considered extinct for the last decade.

This single specimen of Quercus tardifolia was found in the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park in Texas. This species is considered one of the rarest oak species in the world.

Conserving Q. tardifolia and other oak species is crucial to protecting ecosystems. According to Dr. Murphy Westwood, VP of Science and Conservation at The Morton Arboretum, "oaks serve as an ecological anchor, cleaning air, filtering water, sequestering carbon dioxide, and supporting countless fungi, insects, birds, and mammals" across the planet.

The Farm Crew of our Green Ambassador Program is off to a great start! The 12 young adults and three returning Crew Leaders in this year's program are almost halfway through the six-week summer internship.

The group has been busy getting to know one another, learning how to maintain a garden, and cooking with food they harvest from Washington Youth Garden. They also got to tour the Arboretum with some of the curators. Participants are experiencing another side of horticulture and garden maintenance beyond WYG by helping in collections.

Thank you to the National Arboretum for supporting our Green Ambassadors by sharing time, knowledge, and resources with our Farm Crew. We are also grateful for our continued partnership with the DC Summer Youth Employment Program and the DCPS Career Ready Internship initiative to make this program possible.

Takoda is growing up so fast! Now that he has fledged, he is spending the summer learning from Mr. President and LOTUS how to fly and hunt. This period of time is essentially Takoda's "teenager" phase before he sets out on his own this fall and winter.

Movie in the Meadow: Calamity

September 20, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Cocktails and dinner in the Meadow

October 1, 10 AM - 2 PM

Unique bulbs and family activities

October 29

Fall planting and crafts in WYG

November 12, 9 AM

Run or walk through stunning fall foliage

December 10, 9 AM - 4 PM

Shop local vendors and holiday greenery

Sundays this summer, 10 AM - 11 AM

Find your flow with Bluebird Sky Yoga

Various dates and times