Dr. Thomas S. Elias, Director
Ms. Dana Laster, Administrative and Marketing Manager
Dr. John Hammond, Research Leader, Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit
Mr. Scott Aker, Acting Unit Leader, Gardens
Ms. Nancy Luria, Unit Leader, Education and Visitor Services
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,
D.C., with entrances on New York Avenue and R Street. There are research
locations in Washington, D.C.; Glenn Dale, Maryland; Beltsville, Maryland; and
McMinnville, Tennessee.
Size
446 acres
with 9.5 miles of winding roadways.
Annual Visitation
500,000 to 600,000
Budget
Federal Appropriation
FY 03: $11,133,000
Support Organizations
Horticultural Research Institute, Friends of the National Arboretum, Garden
Club of America, The Herb Society of America, National Bonsai Foundation, National
Capital Orchid Society, National Garden Clubs, Inc., The National Capital Area
Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., Society of American Florists, and Woman’s
National Farm & Garden Association.
Staff
104
Volunteers
Over 175, 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 the Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA), a 501(c) nonprofit
organization, as well as by other 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. Development of new methods of pest and disease detection
and control. Taxonomy and nomenclature of ornamental plants and their wild relatives.
Collection and preservation of plant germplasm with ornamental potential.
Gardens
Single-genus groupings include: holly, crabapple,
azalea, daffodil, magnolia, boxwood, daylily, peony, dogwood, and maple. Major
garden features include: aquatic plants, the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum,
the Asian Collections, the Gotelli Dwarf and Slow-Growing Conifer Collection,
the National Grove of State Trees, the Friendship Garden, Fern Valley, the National
Capitol Columns, 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 130 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
Over 650 official
plant releases. Eight patents and two EPA biopesticide registrations
over the last 5 years.
Cooperative Programs
Iowa State University, Michigan State University, North Carolina State University,
Oregon State University, Tennessee State University, University of California,
University of Florida, University of Maine, University of Maryland, University
of Missouri, University of Tennessee, University of Wisconsin, and Holden Arboretum,
Mentor, Ohio.
International Cooperative
Programs
Austria, Israel, Japan,
People’s Republic of China, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan,
and Ukraine.
Herbarium
Established around 1900 as the Economic Botany Herbarium of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture. It is a permanent reference collection of dried plant specimens
necessary to taxonomic studies relating to agriculture, medicine, science, and
education--fields where documentation and correct identification of plants is
essential. This collection serves as a descriptive index for the identification
and verification of plants. Among the 650,000+ specimens are extensive collections
of Willow (Salix), Sedge (Carex), Oak (Quercus), Cherries (Prunus), Viburnum,
Holly (Ilex), Daylily (Hemerocallis), Daffodils (Narcissus), and Rhododendron.
Library
10,000 volumes and approximately 90 publications concentrating in botanical
literature. Affiliated with the National Agricultural Library.
Last Updated March 18, 2004 4:04 PM
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