After a rigorous and competitive search, we are thrilled to announce that Jeanne Braha has been selected as FONA’s new Executive Director. She will step into her new role on January 5, 2026. Our outgoing Executive Director, Craven Rand, will work closely with Jeanne during her first month to ensure a seamless transition of leadership and institutional knowledge.

Jeanne brings more than two decades of experience in conservation leadership, environmental education, nonprofit management, and fundraising. She most recently served as the Executive Director of Rock Creek Conservancy and the Head of Development for iNaturalist. Jeanne’s career is deeply rooted in successful public-private partnerships, including extensive work with the National Park Service and land grant agencies.

Throughout her career, Jeanne has championed public lands as vital civic spaces where science, nature, and community come together. She describes the opportunity to lead FONA — joining a strong, dynamic staff and visionary board — as “too enticing to ignore.” 

Eager to support FONA’s mission in partnership with the U.S. National Arboretum and Dr. Richard Olsen’s team, Jeanne shares, “FONA exemplifies so much of what I love about public-private partnerships, leveraging the best of each partner to advance the science, beauty, and community impact of the National Arboretum.” She is especially inspired by the Agricultural Research Service’s work at the Arboretum and its potential to engage not just future horticultural professionals, but also the broader public.

As Jeanne settles into her new role at FONA, she looks forward to meeting members of our FONA community and deepening her understanding of the National Arboretum in all of its dimensions. “The FONA community is what powers its success,” she notes. “I see my role as channeling that passion into a bright future for FONA, the National Arboretum, and our shared community.”

With new leadership at our helm and our partnership with the National Arboretum that is stronger than ever, FONA’s future is bright. In the new year, we’ll be introducing Jeanne to our community and sharing opportunities to connect.

Take some time during your holiday break to visit the National Arboretum! Hollies in fruit and evergreen conifers are hallmarks of the festive season, and winter-blooming camellias bring much-needed color to the colder months.

The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM, except on December 25th. The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is open every day from 10 AM to 4 PM, but is closed this week on December 24 through 26th. It is also closed on all federal holidays from November through February. Last admittance to the Arboretum grounds is at 4:30 PM each day. Admission and parking at the Arboretum are free.

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Calling all budding horticulturists, scientists, and archivists! The National Arboretum is accepting applications through January 19th for its 2026 internship program. The Arboretum's internship program offers hands-on work experience at the nation's premier public garden and research facility.

Internships vary in length from three months to one year. Horticulture and archive intern positions are based out of the National Arboretum's main campus in Washington, D.C. Research interns could work at the Arboretum's facilities in either Beltsville, MD, McMinnville, TN, or Washington, D.C.

Horticulture Internship Details >

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This year, FONA redoubled its efforts as a trusted leader and creative partner for the National Arboretum. We kept the Arboretum open three extra hours every day, all summer long. We invested in the Arboretum’s infrastructure and made sure operations could continue at critical moments. We connected thousands of D.C. youth to nature and garden science. Most critically for our future, we began leading a new era of collaboration as the National Arboretum’s primary nonprofit partner. 

Our supporters make this work possible. Please donate before December 31st and help drive this important work forward into the new year. By donating or making an additional year-end gift, you will also join or renew your FONA membership and receive special perks throughout the year.

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Earlier this December, we held a winter party for this school year’s Educator Coaching Program (ECP) cohort. As part of our School Garden Support Program, ECP supports garden teams in under-resourced schools with flexible support, empowering them to achieve vibrant school gardens that are fully integrated into school culture. The winter party marked the second gathering of the entire cohort. It was meant to connect educators with one another, build confidence in teaching garden education, and gain resources immediately useful in their work.

On a cold Tuesday evening after school, teachers were greeted by festive music and a warm atmosphere as they gathered at Friendship Chamberlain ES. The group channeled their creativity into making holiday cards with foraged natural materials and planted their own paperwhite narcissus bulbs. FONA staff served hot cocoa alongside a hearty meal featuring a homegrown salad made with Washington Youth Garden veggies.

Educators also reflected on both accomplishments and setbacks in their gardens over the last year. Teachers tackled challenges together and found throughlines of shared experience. Looking to the upcoming spring, the cohort set planting goals and traded tips for sowing onions and when to set out strawberries. Educators also received goodies to take back to their schools, including a microgreens starter kit and grow lights. 

“We are better together! It was wonderful to see teachers connecting with fellow cohort members and building a cross-school educator community,” said Allie Arnold, FONA School Garden Program Manager. Thanks to all for a memorable evening. We can’t wait to see your seeds begin to grow in the spring!

If you would prefer to mail FONA a check rather than donating online, please address it to FONA and send it to:

Friends of the National Arboretum

3501 New York Avenue NE

Washington, DC 20002

Envelopes must be postmarked by December 31st in order to apply to 2025 taxes.

There are also tax-smart donation options, including gifts of appreciated securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds), donor-advised fund grants, and qualified charitable distributions. FONA’s offices are open. Please email donations@fona.org with any questions about ways to support FONA before the end of the year.

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