People of the Preserve

Peter Couchman is a hybrid between a vegetable gardening father and an ornamental horticulturist mother, germinated and grown in Gettysburg, PA. While still a teenager, Peter began a career as a professional opera singer, eventually making solo appearances at New York’s Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Boston’s Symphony Hall and Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral. While singing, he simultaneously earned bachelor’s degrees in music at the New England Conservatory of Music and in biopsychology at Tufts University. He also earned a master’s of music from the University of Cincinnati. His great passion for horticulture ultimately overcame his music, and he graduated from the School of Professional Horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden. Since then, Peter has garnered a wide variety of experience in the horticulture industry. As the Green Roof Associate at Landcraft Environments in Mattituck, NY, he assisted in the design and installation of a design-forward 20,000 sq. ft. green roof. The following year, Peter joined Verdant Gardens Design as the Associate Designer and Horticulture Manager, creating lush, dynamic residential and commercial landscapes throughout NYC.  In 2011, Peter traveled to Frederick, MD to start as the new Head Gardener at High Glen Gardens, becoming their first Executive Director in 2013. Since that time, he has led High Glen Gardens through their first master plan, first strategic plan, managed a wetland restoration, created new marketing initiatives, implemented new database and mapping software, and was the lead designer for several new gardens and garden renovations.  An active lecturer, Peter has spoken at the New York Botanical Garden, Longwood Gardens, the United States Botanic Garden and American University. Peter was thrilled to continue his passion for public horticulture, conservation and ecology as the new Executive Director of Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve on June 29, 2020, and has relocated back to his home state with his husband Phillip, a psychotherapist.

“The Preserve’s mission truly speaks to me—beginning with the importance of native plants, leading to the significance of plant and animal communities, and then expanding to our human relationship with our environment and the effects of human activity on our shared planet.”

Rick Fonda is responsible for the maintenance of plantings, trails, special habitats such as the new pond and the moss garden, and Preserve buildings. He also manages the removal of invasive species, maintains the deer fence and oversees the set up for events. Before joining the Preserve, he was a CSA manager for Greener Partners, a farm-based educational nonprofit in Montgomery County.

“Among my aspirations in life is to pass along a piece of ground to a new generation in better condition than I found it. Working at the Preserve is one way to make the world a better place for my kids. Bringing them here to see the beautiful, verdant place where I work makes me proud.”

Brie Ilenda, a long-time Preserve member and former volunteer naturalist in the early 2000s, joined the Preserve in May 2020 as the development associate. For over a decade, Brie worked in environmental education at the Center for Aquatic Sciences in Camden, NJ. Her long-standing commitment to conservation inspired her to work at the Preserve. Brie, who holds a B.A. from Rosemont College in philosophy and political science, lives in Holland, PA, with her family and pet tortoise. Her interests include music, Pilates, phenology and very amateur photography.

“I love the science and magic of the Preserve. The preservation of the grounds and nursery plants is so deliberate, so empirical. Yet, the appearance of skunk cabbage out of the snow every winter, and of peepers in the spring, seems otherworldly. The connections the Preserve inspires between people and plants are a mix of that science and magic.”

Santino joined the Preserve's staff in October 2019 after serving most recently as the head of the Education Department for the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, a non-profit dedicated to the life’s work of one of Pennsylvania's unsung environmental heroes. Santino served as the lead for the Center's educational programming, helping visitors to leave more inspired by our natural world. Originally from central New York, he received his B.S. in Wildlife Management from SUNY - College of Environmental Science and Forestry. An avid lover of the outdoors since his childhood spent just outside the Adirondack Park, he relishes all opportunities to share his passion for nature and science with others.

"I can never get enough of the natural world; I have enjoyed its splendor in all seasons and conditions. Inspired by the many great naturalists of our past such as Carson, Leopold, Muir, and Smith, I only wish to be a lens for others to see and feel the same majesty and reverence as I do when walking through the forest. I feel so honored to be part of the Preserves staff and I look forward to sharing its many wonders.”

Learn more about the Preserve's educational programming.

Sarah Norris joined the Preserve as Director of donor and Partner Relations in June 2021.  With a diverse career spanning healthcare, hospitality and nonprofit, Sarah’s expertise will drive fiscal growth, community partnerships and visibility for the Preserve.

For the last 8 years, Sarah served as Director of Sales for ACCESS Philadelphia, the city’s premiere destination management and event planning specialists.  Sarah has served in fundraising leadership roles for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Muscular Dystrophy Association, and has represented two major healthcare companies: DePuy Synthes (formerly Synthes) and The Advisory Board Company.  Norris earned her BA from Loyola University in Maryland where she majored in communications with an emphasis in public relations.  She is a seasoned public speaker, writer and designer but she loves being a mom most and exploring Bucks County and beyond with her daughter Neve, 7, and son Malcolm, 5.

“To live and work in beautiful Bucks County is such a blessing,” says Norris. “I’ve grown up with a deep appreciation for nature and all things outdoors. Coupled with my deep-rooted passion for building authentic relationships, my development work at the Preserve is not only exciting but truly inspiring. I look forward to fostering greater awareness and connectivity to the Preserve’s uniquely important mission.”

Gabrielle Roberts joined Preserve staff in June 2024 as the nursery coordinator. She is a passionate advocate for native plants whose journey began as a volunteer with the Preserve during high school. This experience ignited her fascination with native flora, setting the course for her college career.

Roberts recently graduated from Delaware Valley University with a degree in horticulture. During her time in academia, she delved into research on the application of mycorrhizae in nursery settings and presented her findings at an annual American Society for Horticultural Science conference. Now, she aims to inspire others with her journey, just as she was inspired. Her passion for native plants continues to drive her as she explores ways to cultivate a deeper appreciation for biodiversity and environmental stewardship.

“I believe one of the most important things we can do is build community with others through connecting with the land.”

Brianne Scott joined the Preserve staff in March 2024 as the volunteer and visitor services coordinator. She has always found her love of the outdoors through trips with her family to the Pennsylvania mountains and growing up near the farmland and nurseries of Allentown, New Jersey. She spent a majority of her childhood either outside or in the dance studio, and you can currently find her hiking or taking her dogs on walks through the woods.

Brianne has an associate’s degree in fine arts as well as a bachelor’s degree as an art historian. After auditioning for a modern dance company in Philadelphia, where she became artistic director, she found herself performing in sculpture gardens and outdoor venues of all kinds. This led her to Grounds for Sculpture and her prior position of event concierge and paint/preservation technician. She has also been teaching dance at her local studio for over 10 years. Her love of working with the public, education, preservation of all kinds and being in the great outdoors led her to joining the Preserve family.

“I look forward to getting to know all of the Preserve’s dedicated volunteers and working with them in this calm and beautiful space.”

Maggie Stucker plans, coordinates and executes the interpretation of the Preserve in cooperation with the education coordinator, education committee, staff and volunteers. Her career path led her from the creative department of the exhibit industry to conducting nature programs for various schools and organizations. While pursuing her new career, she crafted her further education as a naturalist and served as an intern at The Wild Center Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks. The former director of the Bucks County Audubon Society is certified as a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, NAI Certified Interpretive Guide and NAI Certified Interpretive Trainer and also served as the Director of the Bucks County Audubon Society. Her company, Tree Frog Nature & Learning, LLC, currently provides interpretive nature programs and games for children and adults. Maggie is also on the board of directors of Fireman’s Hall Museum in Philadelphia. She lives with her husband in Solebury and enjoys hiking, paddling, gardening and exploring the natural world.

"I have always loved being immersed in the natural world. Each outing has its surprises and provocations. I love the Preserve because it is one place that celebrates and protects nature's little jewels and encourages others to see what is beautiful and valuable in the fabric of life."

Jen Ventresca joined the Preserve as its director of finance and operations in January 2021. Ventresca’s two decades of business management experience include serving as the manager for a New Mexico based construction company building sustainable, off-grid buildings around the world. She earned a B.A. from the University of California-Davis, where she majored in social-cultural anthropology with an emphasis on globalization and indigenous studies. With her educational background, experiences and personal passions of equity and inclusivity work, she has begun the initial steps to incorporating more accessible, equitable and inclusive initiatives into the Preserves ethos.

“I’ve been blessed over the years, and recognize the privileges I've had, to have held jobs that serve purposes bigger than myself,” says Ventresca, who enjoyed visiting the preserve as a teenager. “This position at the preserve is right in alignment with those greater purposes for humanity and the planet... a place that is so committed to the preservation, conservation, and stewardship of native plants and their ecosystems, which impacts our larger global community."

After a successful career as Director of Design and Quality control for a garment label manufacturer, Glenn decided to pursue his passion for horticulture when the textile company moved operations overseas. After taking every horticulture related class he could find at Rutgers, he earned a certificate of Landscape Management. On the last day of his Plant Identification class Glenn approached his professor, Steven Kristoph, who owned a wholesale nursery, and offered to work as a volunteer to gain experience. Instead, he was offered a part time job which quickly grew into a full-time career. Continuing his education, Glenn became an ASHS Certified Horticulturist through Longwood Gardens.

Glenn went on to work as both a propagator and nursery manager for RareFind Nursery, and then served as Horticulture and Design Manager at Rutgers Nursery & Landscape.

Since moving to beautiful Hunterdon County NJ to be closer to his grandchildren, it has been Glenn’s dream to work for the nursery at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve. Glenn is honored to finally have the opportunity to join an amazing team and fulfill that dream.

“I am passionate about native plants, gardening for wildlife, birds, insects, and the relationships that exist between them. I am working to increase the biodiversity on my two acres of land by removing lawn and adding extensive native plantings. I love growing native plants and educating people on their attributes and benefits. Working at Bowman’s Hill allows me to do all of that and more.”

Ellen May Whitley joined the Preserve staff in April 2024 as the visitor services and bookkeeping associate. Her professional background with plants began in high school, managing indoor growing systems for a small retail store. A love and appreciation for all things botanical blossomed from there into an interest in foraging, landscape design, photography and stewardship of our lands and waterways.

Ellen May holds a bachelor's of science degree in sustainable landscape design from Delaware Valley University and is excited to be a part of the Preserve team.

“There is no definition of a weed, only an opinion of taste. That said: eat the (invasive) weeds, they taste great!“