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N° 297 — May 6, 2026
Enjoy regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.
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Dear Friends,
What a pleasure it was to see so many of you last week at the Garden Fair. Over 1,300 of you joined us to browse more than 7,000 plants from hanging baskets of annuals to cultivars developed right here at the U.S. National Arboretum. Special thanks to Garden Fair co-chairs Janet Nuzum and Mike Young, the Garden Fair Committee, and the dozens of volunteers who make this special event possible to bring our community together around gardening.
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That sense of connection is not just about plants. FONA is proud to now offer free wifi in the Visitor Center, one more way we are enhancing your experience at the Arboretum.
While the Garden Fair was about getting our hands dirty, our upcoming Spring Soirée is the perfect excuse to dress up! Please join us on Friday, May 29th for an unforgettable night of celebration and community in the stunning National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
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Jeanne Braha
Executive Director
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At the Spring Soirée, let live jazz set the tempo for your evening as you flow through one of the most comprehensive public collections of bonsai and penjing outside of Asia. Join FONA’s Board of Directors on Friday, May 29th in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum for an evening of live music, horticultural wonder, and delicious food and drinks. A live jazz trio, led by local musician Jake Askarinam, will harmonize perfectly with an evening full of great conversation and connection inside one of Washington, D.C.’s most stunning museums.
By attending the Spring Soirée, you directly help fund FONA’s mission to support and celebrate the science, beauty, and community impact of the National Arboretum. This open-air affair is a wonderful way to connect with friends and neighbors from across D.C. who share a passion for the Arboretum. Space is limited, secure your tickets now to this incredible event.
Purchase your Ticket >
| | | | | Music in the Meadow is Back! | |
Get in the groove at our first Music in the Meadow concert of the year! On Friday, June 5th at 7 PM, soak up the sounds of live R&B and go-go music from Sirius Company while also enjoying a beautiful sunset in view of the Capitol Columns. Eight food trucks will also have tasty food and drink for sale. Tickets cost $25 and must be purchased in advance. A limited number of $15 community access tickets are available. This event is sponsored in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
This outdoor concert is a celebration of D.C. teachers. Through programs in the Washington Youth Garden and partner schools, FONA works with teachers to provide hands-on garden education to students across the District. This teacher appreciation week (and all the weeks beyond), we’re grateful for garden educators who instill the power of plants in their students.
Purchase Concert Tickets >
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Looking for last minute Mother’s Day plans? We’ve got you covered! On Sunday, May 10th from 9 AM to 11 AM, join us at the Arboretum for a peaceful forest bathing walk with mom. During this session, experienced guides will invite you to meditate on the natural world around you as you wander through blooming garden collections. Connect with Mother Nature this Mother’s Day!
Register for Forest Bathing >
Or, join the Potomac Bonsai Association, the National Arboretum, and FONA for the Potomac Bonsai Festival, held during the U.S. National Arboretum's celebration of World Bonsai Day. From May 8th through 10th, bring the whole family to explore masterpiece displays, bonsai vendors, children’s activities, expert-led workshops, guided tours of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, and food trucks.
View the Festival Schedule >
| | Bottom photo courtesy of the National Arboretum | | Free Wifi at the Visitor Center | |
Free Wifi is now available at the National Arboretum Visitor Center, brought to you by FONA! This project has been in the works for a very long time, and we’re delighted to finally announce this new development.
FONA not only holds events that connect people to the Arboretum, we also help with infrastructure improvements to enhance the Arboretum visitor experience. It’s all part of our role as the primary nonprofit partner of the U.S. National Arboretum.
Thank you so much to our members and supporters who helped to make this happen! Your contributions help us take on improvement projects like this one and allow us to fulfill our mission to support and celebrate the science, beauty, and community impact of the U.S. National Arboretum through education, engagement, and access to nature.
Next time you are in the Visitor Center, be sure to try out the new public wifi!
| | Special Cherry Blossom Tour with the David Fairchild Society | |
Thank you to our David Fairchild Society members for joining us for an unforgettable Cherry Blossom Tram Tour earlier this spring. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Richard Olsen and the U.S. National Arboretum staff for providing our leadership donors with this behind-the-scenes experience.
Named for the legendary botanical explorer who brought plants from across the world to our shores, the David Fairchild Society (DFS) is more than a giving circle — its members embolden our mission. When you become a DFS member, you provide the vital resources needed to sustain the Arboretum’s world-class gardens, pioneering research, and transformative community education. As a member, you won't simply watch the Arboretum grow; you will make it possible — all while enjoying exclusive access, private tours, and curated digital insights.
| | | FONA's Other Upcoming Events | | See our calendar for a list of all of our upcoming events and programs. FONA members get perks like discounts and early access to registration. Donate any amount to become a member! | | | | |
Bird Migration Workshop
Sunday, May 17 | 10 AM - 12 PM
Price: Free (donation is requested)
Experienced birders from the DC Bird Alliance will discuss the science behind bird migration, how human impacts affect it, and what you can do to support migratory birds.
Learn More & Register >
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Volunteer at the National Arboretum
Weekly opportunities
Support FONA's visitor programs like summer concerts and 5Ks, as well as work in the Washington Youth Garden. U.S. National Arboretum volunteer opportunities are also available to support the archives and living collections.
Learn More & Sign Up for Volunteer Opportunities >
| | Other Spring Events at the National Arboretum | | Image courtesy of the National Arboretum | | |
Azalea Bonsai: Putting on the Glitz
May 16 - 31 | 10 AM - 4 PM
Price: Free
Colorful cultivars of late-blooming Satsuki azaleas have been hybridized in Japan for hundreds of years. This annual exhibit showcases the National Arboretum’s most spectacular examples in a two-week indoor display. Based on individual bloom times, trees may be on display in the outdoor pavilions before and after the indoor exhibit.
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The National Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM except December 25th. Last admittance onto the grounds is at 4:30 PM.
Check Our Website for Full Details >
| As a member-based organization, FONA’s supporters are at the heart of our work. Donate any amount to join or renew your membership for one year. Or make a recurring monthly donation and become a Sustaining Member to support our work all year long. Many tax-smart donation options are also available. | | | | |
