Volunteer with the Washington Youth Garden for National Public Lands Day

Friends of the National Arboretum is hosting a special volunteer event for service members, veterans, military retirees, and their families in honor of . Join us on Saturday, September 28th from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the Washington Youth Garden!

We will plant native fruit trees along the garden's edges to control invasive plants and enhance our youth and family-focused space with more fruit-bearing trees. Plus, at noon, hear a few highlights from our partners at the National Environmental Education Foundation, USDA Forest Service, and U.S. National Arboretum.

Coming with family? While volunteering is for ages 16 and up, we'll have family-friendly activities throughout the garden from 11 AM to 1 PM. Stick around until noon for a surprise sweet treat!

Not a veteran or service member? We welcome your participation too!

This event is located at the (click to navigate via Google Maps, or see map below).

• Enter the Arboretum through either the New York Avenue (3501 New York Ave NE) or R Street entrances (2400 R Street NE)

Volunteering in the Washington Youth Garden is a rewarding experience. You don't need to have experience, but you must be willing to make friends with the soil and the bugs! Our volunteers strive to work in the garden 3 hours/week on various organic gardening tasks, such as weeding, planting, pruning, mulching, and pest control. All interested individuals are required to complete the volunteer interest form before volunteering.

Not available on National Public Lands Day? Regular volunteer hours in the garden are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday mornings through November, so if you'd like to volunteer beyond these dates, or want to continue, you can sign up here.

*Must be 16 to volunteer.

Host or Publisher Friends of the National Arboretum