Curious about bird populations at the National Arboretum? Come out to a bird banding demonstration on Saturday, May 30th from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM in the Washington Youth Garden. The National Zoo's Migratory Bird Center will band birds as part of a community-based research project on the role of gardens in sustaining bird populations. Highly trained scientists will explain the purpose of bird banding and show how they temporarily capture, band, and release birds. Registration is not required for this event, and the demonstration is free.

Learn More About Bird Banding >

The Spring Soirée is only one week away! Don’t miss this special celebration at the U.S. National Arboretum next Friday, May 29th. Join FONA’s Board of Directors, as well as friends and neighbors from across Washington, D.C., for an evening of horticultural wonder inside the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Live jazz, botanically-inspired cocktails, and delicious food will make the night one to remember as you marvel at the Museum’s miniature horticultural masterpieces.

This is more than a beautiful event, it is also a chance to meaningfully support FONA’s work bringing the National Arboretum to life. Plus, opportunities to experience the Museum after hours are exceptionally rare. Purchase your tickets today so you don’t miss out! 

Purchase your Ticket >

We are excited to introduce the food truck lineup for our Music in the Meadow Concert on June 5th! Bring your picnic blankets and come try out a local food truck (or two or three!). Then, get ready to dance to a lively go-go performance by Scooby DaGodSon and Sirius Company. 

Eight local food businesses will join us:

District Flames — Authentic grilled cuisine

DCity Smokehouse — Award-winning barbeque

Plant Based Joy — Functional teas and herbs

Frosty Softy — Soft serve, milkshakes, & more

Alchy Cocktails — Gourmet cocktails

Timber Pizza — High quality oven fired pizza

DC Shuckers — Fresh raw shucked oysters

Bar'd — Cocktails with a twist of storytelling

Concert tickets cost $25 for adults and are free for children. All tickets must be purchased in advance — no door sales. This project is supported in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Purchase Tickets >

Spend time outdoors at the Arboretum this Memorial Day weekend! The Arboretum’s grounds, Visitor Center, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, and restrooms will be open on Memorial Day.



The National Arboretum’s grounds are open from 8 AM to 5 PM every day of the year except for Christmas Day. The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is open from 10 AM to 4 PM daily, except for federal holidays from November through February. Admission and parking at the Arboretum are free.

Learn More About Visiting the Arboretum >

Many magnolias are native to the United States, but none are as beloved as the southern magnolia. It is the state tree of Mississippi and the state flower of Louisiana, and is a staple tree in the Southeast, where it is native. The genus Magnolia is over 66 million years old having survived the mass extinction event that killed the non-avian dinosaurs. Magnolia grandiflora supports birds and small mammals, as the thick, shiny evergreen leaves provide some protection from wind and rain and the bright red seeds are a good food source. The large, fragrant flowers attract pollinators, and the petals can be pickled and used in various dishes. While Magnolia grandiflora can get massive, smaller cultivars exist for homeowners, like ‘Kay Parris,’ ‘Little Gem,’ and ‘Teddy Bear.’ They are a popular choice for gardens as they tolerate salt, pollution, high winds, and deer damage. While the leaves take a long time to break down, they can be cut up with a lawn mower or be left to suppress weeds.

Like walnut trees, southern magnolias are allelopathic to other plants, suppressing the growth of competitors. It may be difficult to grow other plants underneath them, but some plants can tolerate the chemicals they release. Enjoy southern magnolias at the Holly and Magnolia Collection or elsewhere on the National Arboretum grounds.

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. Photos by the National Arboretum.

Congratulations to our very own FONA board member Zandra Chestnut for receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of the District of Columbia! This award celebrates Zandra and her husband Dennis Chestnut’s lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship in D.C.

For decades, the Chestnuts have advocated on behalf of the local ecosystem and their community’s right to access and enjoy it. Zandra has served as a volunteer water quality monitor and championed efforts to promote green art and environmental literacy in Wards 7 and 8. She also channeled her love of the outdoors into youth mentorship, encouraging the next generation to care for their local lands and waters. FONA has benefitted from Zandra’s vision of the Arboretum as a place where young people can thrive and learn to care for the wellbeing of communities and ecosystems in the District. We could not think of anyone more deserving of this honor!



Read More >

See our calendar for a list of all of our upcoming events and programs. FONA members get member perks like discounts and early access to registration. Donate any amount to become a FONA member!