N° 123 — November 9, 2022

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

Christmas Tree Pre-Order

Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands are now available for pre-order! You can pick up your reserved tree and greenery at our Christmas Tree Sale on December 3rd or the Winter Festival on December 10th. Or you can have your tree delivered straight to your home.


You must select "Friends of the National Arboretum" as the fundraising partner at checkout to ensure your purchase supports FONA.


While you can also shop for trees, wreaths, and garlands in-person at both the Tree Sale and Winter Festival, pre-ordering guarantees you a quality tree.


Pre-Order Your Christmas Tree & Greenery >

Support FONA: Join the David Fairchild Society

Members of the David Fairchild Society are FONA's champions. Their support helps us strengthen our partnership with the National Arboretum and brings joy, health, and happiness to so many people through our work.


When you join the David Fairchild Society, you join a community of supporters passionate about the Arboretum. DFS members enjoy exclusive invitations to events like garden tours and receptions, special opportunities to learn about what's happening at the Arboretum, and all the other benefits of being a FONA member.


Join the David Fairchild Society or Renew Today >

David Fairchild Society members at Dinner Under the Stars (top, photo by Plume Photography) and after a tour of the Gotelli Collection (bottom).

FONA's Educator Coaching Program (ECP) assists school garden teams by providing garden education and coordination support. Each school garden team has at least two people on it, with a mix of educators, administrators, and other staff.


This school year, the ECP is working with garden teams from 11 schools across DC. Each team has three to four unique goals to accomplish throughout the year. These can range from strengthening how gardens are used and maintained to integrating gardens and wellness into the entire school culture.

Some schools have established regular produce distributions to share fruits and vegetables grown at their school (and/or at Washington Youth Garden) with students and families. Other schools have used their gardens to host food tastings to celebrate their communities' cultures during Hispanic Heritage Month.


ECP staff also co-teach lessons about plant parts, soil, and compost with six of the teachers. This co-teaching series strengthens teachers' confidence and skills incorporating garden education into the classroom and curriculum.


Learn More About Our School Garden Support Programs >

Food Truck Saturdays

We are bringing food trucks to the Arboretum over the next two Saturdays! Enjoy lunch or a snack during your weekend visit (or after participating in our Fall 5K this Saturday).


A different food truck will be set up next to the Visitor Center from 10 AM to 2 PM on November 12th and 19th. Click on the names below to get the most up-to-date information:

Funder Shoutout: International Paper Foundation

FONA sends gratitude to the International Paper Foundation for supporting our youth education programs and food growing operations at the Washington Youth Garden. Thank you, International Paper Foundation, for ensuring our community has fresh local food and youth-led internships in agriculture! 

From our Friends: Shakespeare Theatre Company

Join the Shakespeare Theatre Company on Friday, November 19th at 7:30 PM for a production of American Wildflowers: A Theatrical Field Guide. This collection of theatrical readings is based on a newly published anthology, American Wildflowers: A Literary Field Guide, and will highlight America's natural and cultural landscapes through poems and essays.


Learn More and Register >

Our Ratings

We are honored by the trust organizations like Catalogue for Philanthropy, GuideStar, and Great Nonprofits have in our work. We are committed to being transparent with our supporters so we can continue making meaningful change in our community together. Click on each badge to learn more.

Upcoming Events

Fall 5K

November 12, 9 AM

Run or walk through stunning fall foliage

FONA Members, use your discount code

Register for the Race >


Christmas Tree Sale

December 3, 10 AM - 4 PM

Shop holiday greenery

Details & Tree Info >


Winter Festival

December 10, 10 AM - 4 PM

Local vendors, holiday greenery, and free family activities

Details & Tickets >


Forest Bathing

Various dates and times

Meditation and mindfulness

Purchase Your Ticket >

The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM except December 25th.

Check Our Website for Full Details >

CONNECT WITH US:
@FONArboretum
@WashYouthGarden
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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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