N° 230 — January 15, 2025

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

Dr. Davis will serve as the Arboretum's new Public Horticulture & Engagement Unit Leader. Photo provided by the National Arboretum.

Arboretum Additions

The National Arboretum has recently welcomed several new members to their team. At FONA, we are excited to see the Arboretum’s team grow, and look forward to working with our new federal colleagues.


Dr. Destiny Davis will serve as the Arboretum’s new Public Horticulture & Engagement Unit Leader. She received her PhD in Plant Biology from the University of California, conducted post-doctoral research at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, and has been active in the science communications community for over ten years. Before coming to the Arboretum, Dr. Davis was the Science Engagement Fellow at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. In her new role, Dr. Davis will guide the development of horticultural and educational displays and exhibits that align with the Arboretum's research and outreach priorities.


Gerald Douglas joins the Arboretum team as an Information Specialist, where he will be the face of the Arboretum and answer visitor’s questions as they pass through the Visitor Center. Make sure to say hello to him next time you stop by the Visitor Center front desk!

Dr. Lara Brindisi joins the Arboretum as a Research Geneticist with the Floral and Nursery Plant Research Unit, which is based in Beltsville, MD. Dr. Brindisi received her PhD from Rutgers University. Prior to working at the Arboretum, she conducted post-doctoral research at a USDA ARS lab in Ithaca, NY where she identified traits in maize related to climate change.


Leonard Hawkins was recently promoted to serve as the Maintenance Mechanic Lead Worker. Leonard has worked on the Arboretum’s facilities team for many years. In his new position, he will provide the facilities team with greater flexibility to manage numerous projects and work orders throughout the D.C. campus.

Dr. Brindisi is a new Research Geneticist at the Arboretum's Floral and Nursery Plant Research Unit in Beltsville, MD. Photo provided by the National Arboretum.

Local Volunteering Opportunities

Many of our local environmental partners along the Anacostia River corridor are looking for volunteers to help with projects in honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Get outdoors and volunteer your time in support of conservation in the Chesapeake Bay watershed:

Anacostia Riverkeeper

Saturday, January 18: 10 AM - 12 PM, 12 PM - 2 PM


Intercept trash before it reaches the Anacostia River watershed by picking up trash at Pope Branch Park. Registration is required.


Details & Registration >

Anacostia Watershed Society &

National Links Trust

Saturday, January 18: 11 AM and 2 PM


Restore habitat and remove invasive plants along the river on Kingman Island at the historic Langston Golf Course. Registration is required.


Details & Registration >

Potomac Conservancy

Saturday, January 18: 9 AM - 11 AM


Intercept trash before it reaches the Anacostia River watershed by picking up trash at Anacostia Park. Registration is required.


Details & Registration >

National Park Service

Saturday, January 18: 9 AM - 12 PM


Help maintain trails, remove invasive species, clean up litter, or even document plant and animal life for citizen science at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Registration is required.


Details & Registration >

Join FONA's Team

There's only a few days left to apply for FONA's open Visitor Programs Manager position. This full-time, permanent position will coordinate FONA's visitor programs at the National Arboretum, focusing on community events and partnership programs.


Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with an expected cutoff date of January 20th, 2025. This position is expected to start in February 2025.


Apply for the Visitor Programs Manager Position >

Holiday Hours

This upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day, spend time outdoors at the National Arboretum. It's the perfect place in the city to slow down, reflect, and connect with others. The Arboretum from 8 AM to 5 PM every day, except December 25th. The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is open every day from 10 AM to 4 PM, but is closed on all federal holidays from November through February, including January 20th. Admission and parking at the Arboretum are free.


Learn More About Visiting the Arboretum >

Plant Spotlight

In the dead of winter, the delicate, beeswax-colored yellow flowers and sweet fragrance of Chimonanthus praecox infuse us with hope that spring will come once again. It has been cultivated in China for over 1,000 years and has featured in both Chinese and Japanese poetry. In Mandarin, it is called 蠟梅, pronounced “làméi,” meaning “wax plum flower.” This name comes from the flower’s color and its similarity in scent and bloom time to that of the plum tree. While the species-type wintersweet has pale yellow outer petals and burgundy inner petals, cultivars with bright yellow flowers have been released as well.

Plant this wide-growing shrub near a sunny walkway or in a pollinator garden, but make sure not to prune it too harshly if you’re hoping for dense bloom. In January, this plant can be found blooming in the Asian Collections and the Introduction Garden. It is worth stopping by to enjoy its wonderful fragrance and cheery color, even on a chilly day.


Kamala Codrington-White, an Agricultural Science Research Technician at the National Arboretum, shares plants of note at the Arboretum in this recurring segment. Find these plants on your next trip to the Arboretum. Top two photos by the National Arboretum.

Upcoming Events

Spring into School Gardening

Saturday, March 22

Free resources for educators, in WYG

Save the date — more info coming soon


Flowering 5K

Sunday, March 23, 8:30 AM

Run or walk through collections in bloom

FONA members get 20% off registration

Register for the 5K >


Native Plant Sale

Saturday, March 29

Local native plant vendors, hosted by FONA

Save the date — more info coming soon


38th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium

Saturday, March 29

Learn from experts about native plants, pollinators, and ecosystems, hosted by USNA

Save the date — more info coming soon

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

Check Our Website for Full Details >

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3501 New York Ave NE
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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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