Dr. Mike Sherlock

Dr. Mike Sherlock

Dr. Mike Sherlock has been the leading effort in turning an abandoned, one-acre site into a community arboretum for the people of Mt. Washington in Baltimore, Maryland.  An apartment building once stood on the scarred site from which sediment, debris and other contaminants washed directly into the Jones Falls watershed. Dr. Sherlock helped transform it into a healthy ecosystem which recharges local aquifers, buffers the watershed, and plays home to many species of animals and birds. 

Dr. Sherlock has been instrumental in accomplishing the following:

• Removing truckloads of exotic vegetation and replacing it with 250-300 species of native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and vines
• Creating 250 yards of trails with interpretive signs along the way
• Establishing five different seating areas, a 10’ by 15’ pond, a welcome center kiosk, and a green roof garden structure with rain barrels beneath for conserving water
• Installing a teaching pavilion with a canvas roof and benches, and a digital projector and screen, used to accommodate people for talks at the arboretum
• Forming a connection with the Irvine Science Center, a non-profit nature education center, for educational enterprises together

The arboretum is regularly used by a wonderfully diverse set of people, such as hikers, dog walkers, schools, and budding naturalists and gardeners.  The garden is a public, open, accessible resource for all of northwest Baltimore, and for the rest of the metro area.  In addition to community events that include annual summer and winter solstice parties, Halloween parties, movie nights, and summer picnics, Dr. Sherlock works tirelessly with volunteers almost every weekend, and it’s not unusual to have 50-100 volunteers at a time helping out.  With the leadership of Dr. Sherlock, the community truly is a part of the effort, giving them pride and ownership in the arboretum. 

Learn more about Mt. Washington Arboretum