|
N° 262 — September 3, 2025
Enjoy regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.
| | |
The National Arboretum has resumed normal operating hours now that summer evening hours are over. The grounds are open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM, with last admittance at 4:30 PM.
Summer changes to gate access will remain in place moving forward. The R Street entrance (2400 R Street NE) will stay open to both cars and pedestrians all day long. The New York Avenue entrance (3501 New York Avenue NE) will close at 2 PM on weekdays and 4:30 PM on weekends.
| | | Capsicum annum 'Purple Rain'. Photo courtesy of the National Arboretum. | | |
Herbs are found in our food, medicine, clothing, music, and so much more! This fall in the Arboretum's National Herb Garden, there are many ways to learn about and celebrate the plants that we use as herbs.
FONA is kicking off the celebration with our Music in the Meadow Rock Garden concert this Friday, September 5th at 7 PM. The Route 66 Band will play classic rock songs inspired by plants that rock and inspire us to rock. There will even be a musical instrument petting zoo and instruments crafted from plants! This event celebrates the National Herb Garden's "Rock ('n' Roll) Garden" exhibit theme. Four local food and drink vendors will be in attendance. Paid tickets are required to attend this after-hours event.
Learn More & Purchase a Concert Ticket >
| | |
Local units of The Herb Society of America will keep the celebration going with two Under the Arbor events in the National Herb Garden.
On Saturday, September 20th, learn about lemon-flavored herbs from the South Jersey Unit. On Saturday, October 11th, join the annual Chile Celebration with multiple Mid-Atlantic Units. These are both free, informal, drop-in events open to the public. They will take place from 1 PM to 4 PM each day.
| | | | | Green Ambassadors Program | |
Every year, FONA’s Green Ambassador Program (GAP) welcomes D.C. high school students into the Washington Youth Garden for a six-week-long paid summer internship. This year’s cohort had eight new and three returning Green Ambassadors.
Through this program, interns develop and strengthen skills in agriculture, environmental sustainability, carpentry, and career readiness. While these were new skills for some of the interns, for others who were already involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters at their schools, GAP built on existing skills.
| | Interns led food giveaways to D.C. community members, which fostered customer and community service skills that are important when starting a new job. Green Ambassadors put new carpentry skills to work and built two new raised garden beds in record time. They also greatly enjoyed learning about the animal side of agriculture from a veterinary student. This was a first for GAP, but something the Green Ambassadors have been deeply interested in learning more about as a future career path. | | | | | For Mariyah, who was a Green Ambassador herself before joining FONA's staff, success for GAP is about more than building careers in the environmental field. “Throughout the six weeks we emphasize seeds of intention that we are planting in each of the interns — seeds of curiosity, action, problem solving, team work, and much more. We want to model what a true environment for growth and change looks like inside the Washington Youth Garden, where the interns were met with community, challenges, exploration, sharing of knowledge, and care.” | | Summer Evening Hours Feedback | |
We want to hear from you about this summer's evening hours. For the first time ever, FONA kept the National Arboretum open to the public until 8 PM for three months straight. Thousands of visitors took this opportunity to explore the grounds at the end of a long day, enjoy the extra sunlight of summer, and see the Arboretum in a new evening light. FONA facilitated further connection to the Arboretum by hosting 14 visitor programs and nine Food Truck Fridays during summer evening hours.
Please fill out a short survey and let us know about your evening hours experience.
Complete the Summer Evening Hours Survey >
| | | | | |
FONA is working to make evening hours a permanent feature of summer at the National Arboretum. We can't do this without our supporters. Thank you to our Summer Evening Sponsors and FONA members for making this year's extended hours possible. If you aren't already a FONA member, please make a donation to FONA to become one and sustain experiences like summer evening hours for years to come.
Donate to Become a FONA Member >
| | While many consider Labor Day the point where summer turns into fall, the autumnal equinox marks the official first day of fall. This year, the autumnal equinox will take place on Monday, September 22nd. FONA will host many events the weekend leading up to the equinox to distinguish the changing season. | | | | | |
Community Fishing
Friday, September 19 | 5 PM - 8 PM
Fish along the Anacostia River at the National Arboretum with FONA and Anacostia Riverkeeper. No fishing experience is necessary and all ages are welcome to join. Anacostia Riverkeeper will provide all supplies and fishing instruction. Sign up soon — this free event sells out quickly!
Learn More & Register >
| | | | |
Evening Sound Bathing
Friday, September 19 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Immerse yourself in soothing soundscapes that refresh your mind and rejuvenate your spirit. Led by SVDGVRL SOURCE, this is a meditative experience grounded in somatic care and intentional reflection. Registration costs $25 ($20 for FONA members, email us for the discount code). A limited number of $15 community discount tickets are available.
Register for Evening Sound Bathing >
| | | | |
Early Morning Yoga: Bikram Yoga Works
Saturday, September 20 | 9 AM - 10 AM
Led by certified instructors from Bikram Yoga Works, this outdoor yoga class is open to all skill levels. The class will marry breath with dynamic stretching to open the body, improve mobility, and reduce pain in movement. Classes cost $20 ($16 for FONA members, email us for the discount code). A limited number of $10 community discount tickets are available.
Register for Early Morning Yoga >
| | | | |
Late Morning Yoga: Bluebird Sky Yoga
Saturday, September 20 | 11 AM - 12 PM
Breathe like the breeze, be soft like the grass, open your heart to the sky above, and let the strength and steadiness of the trees inspire you. Led by certified instructors from Bluebird Sky Yoga, this outdoor yoga class is open to all skill levels. Classes cost $28 ($22.40 for FONA members, email us for the discount code).
Register for Late Morning Yoga >
| | | | |
Forest Bathing Walk
Sunday, September 21 | 9 AM - 11 AM
Slow down and open your senses to nature at the National Arboretum. Certified nature and forest therapy guides lead this special guided meditation and mindfulness experience. Our suggested ticket price is $35 ($28 for FONA members, email us for the discount code). A limited number of $15 community discount tickets are available.
Register for Forest Bathing >
| | Stay tuned — our complete Fall Happenings event guide is coming very soon! | | |
Music in the Meadow: Rock Garden
Friday, September 5, 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Paid outdoor concert with classic rock vibes
Purchase a Ticket >
Early Morning Yoga with Bikram Yoga Works
Most Saturdays through October 18 | 9 AM - 10 AM
Outdoor yoga for all skill levels
Class Schedule & Registration >
Late Morning Yoga with Bluebird Sky Yoga
Most Saturdays through October 18 | 11 AM - 12 PM
Outdoor yoga for all skill levels
Class Schedule & Registration >
| | | |
Indigenous Peoples' Day Forest Bathing
Monday, October 13, 9 AM - 11 AM
Guided meditation and mindfulness
Learn More & Register >
Garlic Planting Party & Bulb Sale
Saturday, October 25 | 11 AM - 3 PM
Save the date — more info coming soon!
Fall 5K
Sunday, November 9 | 8:30 AM
Run or walk through stunning fall foliage
Race Registration >
Veteran's Day Forest Bathing
Tuesday, November 11, 9 AM - 11 AM
Guided meditation and mindfulness
Learn More & Register >
| | | It's now easier than ever to become a FONA member. Donate any amount to join or renew your membership for one year, or pledge to give monthly and support our work all year round as a Sustaining Member. There are also many tax-smart donation options. | |
Did a friend forward you this newsletter?
| | | | |
