Friends of the National Arboretum

History

Friends of the National Arboretum

Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) was founded in 1982 as an independent 501(c)(3). FONA serves as the primary private partner of the U.S National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. We preserve and enhance this vibrant public space and facilitate experiential programs that instill a love of plants, nature, and the outdoors in all who visit the Arboretum. We also promote the overarching research and education mission of the Arboretum.

Since its beginning, FONA has raised funds for projects around the Arboretum like the Capitol Columns, Flowering Tree Walk, and Springhouse Run stream restoration. FONA also supports the Arboretum’s research, plant explorations, and collections maintenance.

Washington Youth Garden

With the help of our members we offer garden-based educational programming through the Washington Youth Garden (WYG). This program began in 1971 as part of a city initiative to encourage children living in under-resourced neighborhoods to cultivate and grow their own food. WYG celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2021 by continuing to support local youth and families.