Susan Chapin, Director of Community Events, retired at the end of 2024 after nine years of working at FONA. When Susan joined the team in 2016, she oversaw FONA’s operations and finances. Back then, there were only about six full-time staff working at FONA. Susan built an incredibly strong operations foundation that has allowed FONA to grow to its current size of 16 full-time staff and about 15 supporting part-time staff.

Over the last few years, Susan’s role shifted away from operations and towards event management. She not only oversaw our venue rental program, ensuring Arboretum weddings and corporate events went off without a hitch, but she also directed our community events. Susan organized it all, from 5Ks and summer concerts, to the Garden Fair & Plant Sale and more. She strove for FONA’s events to be representative of FONA, the National Arboretum, and the people in our local community. Susan’s keen attention to detail and logistics laid a groundwork for FONA’s community events to grow and flourish.

We miss Susan dearly, but wish her well in the next chapter of her life in Oregon. We are incredibly grateful for her hard work and dedication to FONA. Thanks to the foundation Susan created, she has set FONA up for success for years to come.

Find peace in nature at the National Arboretum. Even though it's located in the heart of D.C., the Arboretum can feel like an urban oasis removed from the city's hustle and bustle. The Arboretum has been voted Best City Escape in the City by Washingtonians two years in a row.

Admission and parking is free, and the grounds are open 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.

Learn More About Visiting the Arboretum >

Make plans to stop by the National Arboretum on Saturday, March 29th between 8 AM and 1 PM for FONA's Native Plant Sale. Shop from one of the earliest plant sales in the area! This sale is held in conjunction with the National Arboretum's Lahr Native Plant Symposium. While you don't need to attend the Symposium to shop the sale, come early! In the past, some vendors have sold out by lunchtime.

We have six local vendors planning to attend this year's Native Plant Sale:

• Goodman LLC
• Hill House Nursery
• Nature by Design
• Pollinator Rare Plants
• Seven Bends Nursery
• Swamp Rose Cooperative

These vendors are subject to change. Please note that the Native Plant Sale is not as large of an event as our Garden Fair & Plant Sale, which we will hold on Saturday, April 26th.

In case you missed it, our most recent Stories from the Field article shines a spotlight on the National Arboretum's Holly Collection. This nationally and internationally recognized research and display collection holds some of the Arboretum's earliest plantings. It also contains an incredible amount of plant diversity, and plays an important role in the Arboretum's Germplasm Program.

Our Stories from the Field series highlights the people, collections, and research that make the National Arboretum such a special place. Read the article to learn more about the collection, and take a walk through it during your next visit!

Read the Article for the Full Story >

Attend the 18th annual D.C. Teachers' Night on Thursday, February 13th from 6 PM to 8 PM at the U.S. Botanic Garden. Connect with local environmental education organizations that offer educational experiences like field trips, professional development opportunities, and classroom resources. Stop by the FONA's table and say hello to our team! Registration is required for this free event.

Learn More & Register >

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, 8 AM - 1 PM

Local native plant vendors, hosted by FONA

Learn More >

38th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium

Saturday, March 29, 9 AM - 4 PM

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

Register for the Symposium >