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N° 320 — November 4, 2026

Enjoy regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.

Director's Corner

Dear Friends,

Fall is my favorite season, as the weather gets crisp and the natural world around us starts to slow down. The chance to see this up close at the Arboretum has been a treat this year, as the leaves slowly turn, the rows of tomatoes or peas in the Washington Youth Garden are replaced with cover crop, and the loss of leaves will soon make wildlife spotting just a bit easier. 

That sense of quiet endurance makes this fall particularly special as our community comes together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. To ensure the collection shines for the next half century, we’ve recently completed repairs to the wall of the museum — I hope you’ll join us to take a look! 

As the season progresses, there are many ways to stay connected. The Holiday Tree Sale and Market is becoming an important part of many families' winter traditions, and I look forward to joining you there. Congrats to everyone who hit the road for this past Saturday’s Fall 5K and Festival — it’s so fun to see the space come alive as so many people enjoy it.

Happy fall,

Jeanne

Jeanne Braha

Executive Director

Congratulations, Top 5K Finishers!

Three cheers for Kyle Jayme, who got first place at FONA’s Fall 5K! Kyle completed the course in just 17 minutes and 44 seconds. Congratulations to Ben Stephenson and Grayson Fusaro for coming in second and third place, respectively. These three top finishers achieved an impressive feat — hats off to you for your positivity, speed, and perseverance.

FONA offered complementary registration to a group of runners from Back on My Feet, a nonprofit organization that helps people experiencing homelessness or addiction to achieve economic independence through the power of running. We are glad to support these runners and proud of their success!

Thanks to everyone who participated and brought their festive Halloween cheer to Saturday’s 5K & Festival. We hope you had a great time at the race and look forward to seeing you again in the spring for our Flowering 5K. Save the date for April 4, 2027 — registration coming soon.

Thank you as well to AT&T, Pepco, and Sustainable Maryland for their support of this event.

Bonsai Celebration

This Saturday is the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum’s 50th anniversary celebration!

Drop by the National Arboretum between 10 AM to 4 PM — no registration required. You won’t want to miss these FREE activities:

• Guided museum tours
• 3D bonsai tree visualizations
• Family and kid-friendly activities
• Food and drink from local food trucks

Stay through the evening for a unique opportunity to experience the allure of bonsai after dark. From 6 PM to 8 PM, take part in an exclusive science café featuring talks by renowned bonsai scientists. Come for the botanical-inspired cocktails and music performances, and stay for the science! Tickets cost $40 and are moving quickly — reserve yours today!

Learn More & Register >

FONA's Other Upcoming Events

See our calendar for a list of all of our upcoming events and programs. FONA supporters get perks like discounts and early access to registration. Donate today!

Holiday Tree Sale

Friday, November 27 - Sunday, December 6

Times Vary

Fill your home with holiday greenery while supporting a great cause! You can either pick out your tree at the Arboretum, or you can pre-order a tree for home delivery or pick-up at the Arboretum.

Pre-order your tree >

Holiday Market

Saturday, December 5 | 10 AM - 2 PM

Find the perfect gift for the plant-lover in your life! Browse for plant and garden-themed gifts from local artisans during this cozy indoor holiday market. Plus, enjoy delicious bites from food trucks and buy festive holiday greenery. 

Learn More >

Volunteer at the National Arboretum

Weekly opportunities

Support FONA's visitor programs or get your hands dirty 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 >

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 >

FONA’s supporters are at the heart of our work. Donate today to help sustain FONA’s impact, or make a recurring monthly gift to ensure year-round support. Tax-smart giving options are also available.