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N° 210 — August 28, 2024
Enjoy regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.
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Fall is just around the corner! Here at FONA, we are hosting many new and fan-favorite events this fall for you to connect with the National Arboretum and each other.
Events highlighted in purple are ones where FONA members get early access to registration before they open to the public. We're also hosting a lot of members-only events this fall, including two virtual Digging In lectures, member socials, and walks throughout the Arboretum. You can join or renew your FONA membership today if you would like to attend these members-only events or get early access to certain registrations.
Don't miss the National Arboretum's events towards the bottom of this newsletter, too!
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Music in the Meadow: Rochelle Rice
Friday, September 6 | 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Enjoy Rochelle Rice’s beautiful blend of jazz, folk, and soul music as you watch the sunset over the Arboretum’s Capitol Columns. Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnics, but food and drinks will also be for sale at the event. Registration is required for this event. The requested ticket price is $25 ($20 for FONA members), but please pay what you can to attend.
Learn More & Purchase a Concert Ticket >
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Community Fishing
Sunday, September 15 | 1 PM - 4 PM
Spend an afternoon fishing along the banks of the Anacostia River at the Arboretum. This event is co-hosted by FONA and Anacostia Riverkeeper. No experience is necessary, and all ages are welcome. All supplies and fishing instruction are provided for this free event.
Add Your Name to the Waitlist >
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Dinner Under the Stars
Tuesday, September 17 | 5:30 PM - 9 PM
Enjoy cocktails and a tented dinner in the Arboretum's Ellipse Meadow in full view of the Capitol Columns at this beloved fundraising event. Spend a lovely fall evening — under a full moon — with colleagues, business leaders, and government representatives. RSVP by Friday, September 6th in order to be recognized as an official sponsor!
Learn More & Purchase a Ticket >
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Fall Equinox Forest Bathing
Sunday, September 22 | 9 AM - 11 AM
Join Sage and Paul, two certified nature and forest therapy guides, as they invite you to reflect on the surrounding nature and guide you through focused meditations. Our suggested ticket price is $35 ($28 for FONA members), but please pay what you can to attend.
Learn More & Register >
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SoulFULL Vegan Fest
Sunday, October 13 | 11 AM - 4:30 PM
Spend a day filled with delicious plant-based foods, live music, and inspiring speakers. Taste amazing vegan dishes, shop from local vendors, and learn more about a plant-based lifestyle. This event is free to attend, but VIP admission is available. This event is hosted in partnership with SoulFULL Vegan DC.
Learn More & Purchase a VIP Ticket >
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Indigenous Peoples' Day Forest Bathing
Monday, October 14 | 9 AM - 11 AM
Join Sage and Paul, two certified nature and forest therapy guides, as they invite you to reflect on the surrounding nature and guide you through focused meditations. Our suggested ticket price is $35 ($28 for FONA members), but please pay what you can to attend.
Learn More & Register >
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Bulb Sale & Garlic Planting Party
Saturday, October 26 | 11 AM - 2 PM
Celebrate fall and our amazing Washington Youth Garden community with us! We'll have edible and decorative bulbs for sale, free family-friendly art activities, garlic planting, food tastings, garden tours, vegetable harvesting, and more. Save the date — more details are coming soon.
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Fall 5K
Sunday, November 10 | 8:30 AM
Enjoy stunning fall colors as you run or walk past the Arboretum's collections. All roads are closed to cars during this race so you can safely enjoy the event. Strollers and dogs are welcome, and kids under 13 years old race for free. Free registration is available for the first 50 veterans who sign up, made possible by support from the National Environmental Education Foundation. All FONA members, as well as active and reserve military members, can receive 20% off their registration. Email info@fona.org for these coupon codes.
Register for the Fall 5K >
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Veteran's Day Forest Bathing
Monday, November 11 | 9 AM - 11 AM
Join Sage and Paul, two certified nature and forest therapy guides, as they invite you to reflect on the surrounding nature and guide you through focused meditations. Our suggested ticket price is $35 ($28 for FONA members), but please pay what you can to attend.
Learn More & Register >
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Full Moon Hike
Sunday, November 17 | Time TBD
Spend an evening exploring the Arboretum's moonlit gardens, meadows, and woods. Your guide will share specially chosen points of interest and seasonal highlights. FONA members will get early access to registration before it opens to the public — join or renew your membership today for the chance to register early! Paid registration will be required and is coming soon.
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Winter Festival
Saturday, December 7 | 10 AM - 4 PM
Shop from tons of local vendors, buy your Christmas tree and holiday greenery, and have fun with the family at this annual fundraiser. Save the date — more details are coming soon.
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Christmas Tree Sale
December 7 - December 8 | 10 AM - 4 PM
Buy Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands during this annual fundraiser. Trees will be available for pre-order and can be picked up at the Arboretum or delivered straight to your home. Save the date — more details are coming soon.
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Gotelli Conifer Collection Tour
Friday, December 13 | 10:30 AM
Discover the unique plants and history of the Gotelli Conifer Collection on a walking tour with the collection's curator. FONA members will get early access to registration before it opens to the public — join or renew your membership today for the chance to register early! Paid registration will be required and is coming soon.
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New Year's Eve Forest Bathing Walk
Tuesday, December 31 | 9 AM, 12 PM, 2:30 PM
As one of FONA's most popular forest bathing walks of the year, the New Year's Eve walk offers a chance for participants to slow down and reflect on the past year before stepping into the new one. FONA members will get early access to registration before it opens to the public — join or renew your membership today for the chance to register early! Paid registration will be required and is coming soon.
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Under the Arbor: Lemon Herbs
Saturday, September 14 | 1 PM - 4 PM
Learn about lemon herbs from the South Jersey Unit of the Herb Society of America. This is a free, informal, drop-in event open to the public in the National Herb Garden.
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Under the Arbor: Chile Celebration
Saturday, October 12 | 1 PM - 4 PM
Multiple Mid-Atlantic Units of the Herb Society of America will host the annual Chile Celebration in the National Herb Garden. Visitors can learn about chile peppers, try different varieties, and taste an array of foods infused with chiles like salsa, hot chocolate, and pickled peppers. This is a free, informal, drop-in event open to the public.
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Autumn Arts of Nature: Bonsai, Stones, and Mums
October 26 - November 17 | 10 AM - 4 PM
(except Veteran's Day)
This exhibition celebrates the autumn season with traditional Asian arts of nature in peak colors and forms. Enjoy bonsai in their autumnal colors before the leaves fall away to reveal their bare winter silhouettes. See red maples, yellow ginkgo, and fruited trees in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum's permanent collection pavilions. The Special Exhibits Wing features formal displays with select trees during their peak fall colors interspersed with chrysanthemum stones from China, Japan, and California. Festive mums — cultivated and trained to display large blooms — decorate the upper courtyard in the museum.
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Join the National Arboretum's team! The Arboretum is hiring a Public Horticulture & Engagement Unit Leader at the GS 14 level. This leadership position will guide the development of horticultural and educational displays and exhibits that align with the Arboretum's research and outreach priorities.
This position is based out of the Arboretum's main D.C. campus. Applications will close on September 6th.
Apply for this Job >
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