Fast Facts About the Arboretum
Establishment
Established in 1927 by an Act of Congress. The Arboretum is administered by
the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service.
Mission
To serve the public need for scientific research, education, and gardens that
conserve and showcase plants to enhance the environment.
Location
Northeast Washington, DC, with entrances on New York Avenue and R Street. There are research locations in Washington, DC; Beltsville, Maryland; and McMinnville, Tennessee.
Size
446 acres with 9.5 miles of winding roadways.
Annual Visitation
over 500,000
Budget
Federal Appropriation FY 12: ~$12,000,000
Support Organizations
American Nursery and Landscape Association, Friends of the National Arboretum, Garden Club of America, Herb Society of America, National Bonsai Foundation, National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc., National Capital Orchid Society, National Garden Clubs, Inc., Society of American Florists, and Woman's National Farm & Garden Association.
Staff
76
Volunteers
Over 140, working in all areas of the Arboretum.
Interns
Internship positions are in horticulture, research, education, facilities management, and public garden administration and are supported by non-profit organizations, and privately donated funds.
Research
Wide-ranging basic and developmental research on trees, shrubs, turf, and floral plants. Development of new technologies for the floral and nursery industries. Development of plants with superior characteristics through a program of testing and genetic improvement. Taxonomy and nomenclature of ornamental plants and their wild relatives. Collection and preservation of plant germplasm with ornamental potential.
Gardens
Single‑genus groupings include: azalea, boxwood, daffodil, daylily, dogwood, holly, magnolia, and maple. Major garden features include: aquatic plants, the Asian Collections, the Fern Valley Native Plant Collections, the Flowering Tree Collection, the Flowering Tree Walk, the Friendship Garden, the Gotelli Dwarf and Slow‑Growing Conifer Collection, the Introduction Garden, the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, the National Capitol Columns, the National Grove of State Trees, and the National Herb Garden.
Education
Public education programs, including symposia, lectures, workshops, and demonstrations;
plant, flower, and art exhibitions; interpretive brochures and signs; group
tours; public relations.
Publications
Over 150 scientific articles in professional and trade journals in the last
3 years. Various program aids for visitors. Eight publications in the National
Arboretum Contribution series.
Plant Introductions
678 official plant releases. Eight patents and two EPA biopesticide registrations.
Cooperative Programs
Alfred State University, Auburn University, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Cornell University, Danforth Plant Science Center, Iowa State University, Michigan State University, National Turfgrass Federation, North Carolina State University, Oklahoma State University, Oregon State University, Rutgers University, Tennessee State University, University of Arizona, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Maryland, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, University of Tennessee, University of Utah, University of Wisconsin, USDA Forest Service, US Golf Association, Washington State University.
International Cooperative
Programs
Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, People's Republic of China, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, and Ukraine.
Herbarium
Permanent reference collection of over 650,000 specimens of dried pressed plants for scientific studies in agriculture, horticulture, botany, medicine, and other related fields. Contains plants from around the world, with a special emphasis on cultivated plants. Especially well represented groups include azaleas (Rhododendron),
cherries (Prunus), daffodils (Narcissus), daylilies (Hemerocallis),
hollies (Ilex), oaks (Quercus), viburnums (Viburnum), and willows (Salix).
Library
Over 11,000 books and 100 journals emphasizing ornamental horticulture, botany, plant taxonomy, plant exploration and natural history, with special collections on bonsai, penjing, ikebana, viewing stones and related arts. Affiliated with the National Agricultural Library.
U.S. National Arboretum Strategic Plan 2
The 2003 Strategic Plan 2 for the U.S. National Arboretum is based on the first strategic plan developed in 1995.
The plan helps inform programmatic development over a five- to ten-year period. The plan also serves as a guide for
strengthening and improving the U.S. National Arboretum overall, and is a tool for future planning.
Download the U.S. National Arboretum Strategic Plan 2 (PDF: 304 K). The long-term vision and goals to be implemented in Strategic Plan 3 are currently under development.
U.S. National Arboretum Master Plan Introduction
Introduction to the U.S. National Arboretum Master Plan, which responds to the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan 2.
Download the U.S. National Arboretum Master Plan Introduction (PDF: 33 K).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and
activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital
status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs,
reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.
(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center
at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382
(TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Download the Fast Facts Sheet (PDF: 74 K)
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