About Us
Our Development
The development of the Serenity Ridge Nature Preserve and Arboretum is a long-term commitment, reflecting the care and intention required to restore and sustain a thriving natural landscape. Given the scope of this effort, it will unfold over several years, guided by the following core goals and principles:
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Thoughtfully remove invasive plants, shrubs, and trees to make space for native species
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Reintroduce native Maryland flora—trees, shrubs, and plants—to restore biodiversity and rebuild a resilient, local ecosystem
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Protect and enhance the health of existing wetlands and woodlands
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Establish a certified Level II Arboretum, showcasing the diversity and beauty of native trees
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Create dedicated butterfly, hummingbird, and wildflower gardens to invite and sustain wildlife
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Cultivate habitat for pollinators, essential to a balanced and vibrant ecosystem
This restoration initiative not only supports vital ecological functions—it also offers meaningful opportunities for education and connection. Through this work, visitors and volunteers will deepen their understanding of habitat restoration, native gardening, stream health, and the interdependent relationships between plants, animals, and people.
At Serenity Ridge, we believe that healing the land offers a path to healing ourselves—and we’re excited to share that journey with our community.
Non-Profit Organizations We Work With
The organizations below help our nature preserve and also help educate the public about green burial and nature.
Impact of Green Spaces
Green spaces have a wide variety of positive environmental impacts. They provide for wildlife habitat, promote biodiversity, and improve air and water quality by reducing pollutants. Green spaces also promote physical and mental health. They reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease by addressing risk factors like pollutants and inactivity. By providing opportunities for physical activity, green spaces encourage healthier lifestyles and promote overall wellness. Lastly, green spaces nourish the character of places and add scenic beauty.
Maryland itself is blessed with a variety of natural habitats and include forests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal areas. Serenity Ridge is unique in that it has rolling hills, streams and valleys, wetlands and a hardwood forest consistent with the Piedmont plateau. All these component parts will help to educate the public regarding native Maryland habitats as we rehabilitate the property by removing the invasive species and plant the native plants and trees to help bring back the natural fauna of the area.
Board of Directors
Bonnie Sorak
Executive Director
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Bonnie graduated from Florida State University where she had a double major in Communications/Public Relations and Political Science. After graduating she worked for several non-profit organizations before embarking on a decade-plus career as a real estate agent.
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A 20+ year resident of Ellicott City, she is the mother of four sons, and has volunteered for many organizations including chairing Columbia Jewish Congregation’s (CJC) Green Team for a dozen years. Bonnie served as CJC’s representative to the Howard County’s Jewish Community Relations Council and on the Howard County MLK Holiday Commission. Bonnie worked for Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake for over 11 years, engaging with hundreds of diverse congregations throughout the watershed helping them to start and sustain their environmental initiatives.
Outside of Serenity Ridge, Bonnie enjoys cooking with a deep concern about food integrity issues as evidenced by her 30+ year commitment to a vegan diet. She enjoys hiking and walking with friends and family, and reading.
Howard K. Berg, MD
Vice President & Secretary
Howard grew up on a farm in the Stevenson area of Baltimore County, surrounded by animals and immersed in nature. This early connection to the outdoors has shaped his lifelong passion for hiking, biking, kayaking, gardening, and caring for a Koi pond.
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Professionally, Howard spent 35 years as a Colon and Rectal Surgeon in Maryland, dedicating his career to improving the lives of others. In 1965, the Berg family acquired a property that would later become a meaningful part of Howard’s legacy. Together with his brothers, David and Richard, Howard co-founded Serenity Ridge Natural Burial Cemetery on this family land. Their vision extended beyond sustainable burial practices—they wanted the space to serve as a source of peace and healing for those experiencing personal loss, and as a sanctuary for the community to reconnect with nature.
To further support this mission, Howard and his brothers established the nonprofit Serenity Ridge Nature Preserve and Arboretum, committed to preserving the property’s biodiversity and enhancing its role as a place of solace and natural beauty.
Ken Scarlatelli
Board Member
Ken is a Certified Wildlife Biologist and a Senior Professional Wetland Scientist with over forty years of experience in natural resource management and environmental science. He currently serves as the Science Director at Ecologic Solutions, LLC, based in Catonsville.
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Throughout his distinguished career, Ken has held several prominent leadership roles. As the Supervisor of Natural Resources for New York City with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, he oversaw multiple departments, including Wildlife, Fisheries, Marine Resources, Lands & Forests, and Habitat Protection. He also served as the Natural Resources Supervisor for the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. Ken’s expertise has extended into the private sector as well, where he served as a Program Manager for several major engineering and environmental consulting firms, including Louis Berger & Associates, Woodward-Clyde Consultants (now AECOM), Parsons Brinckerhoff (now WSP), and Deloitte.
Passionate about environmental education, Ken is also a dedicated teacher and curriculum designer. He has taught at a range of institutions, from secondary schools like the Hillside School and Immaculate Heart Academy to higher education institutions such as Felician College and Fairleigh Dickinson University. His commitment to educating the next generation of environmental professionals is a core part of his legacy.
Ashley Traut
Board Member
Ashley is the Senior Advisor for the Greater Baltimore Wilderness Coalition, where he works to unite regional partners around creating a thriving, resilient and equitable green infrastructure network throughout Central Maryland. Ashley also runs Gaiacene Services, an environmental consulting firm that specializes in site-scale, nature-based and renewable energy solutions.
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Outside of work, Ashley loves hiking and camping with his wife, two kids and friends, birding and mushrooming, cooking, and pondering the meaning of life, be it while meditating or enjoying a few beers.
Devin Leary, ASLA
Board Member
Devin is a Landscape Architect and a Forest Conservation Qualified Professional with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. As a Principal at Human & Rohde, he leads a team of landscape architects and environmental specialists, bringing a wealth of experience and a thoughtful approach to every project. His diverse background in environmental planning, horticulture, and design gives him a comprehensive perspective that spans the entire project lifecycle—from site selection to permitting and construction.
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Outside the office, Devin is just as enthusiastic about the outdoors. He enjoys mountain biking and skiing, continuing his lifelong appreciation for the natural world in both work and play.
Dan Morhaim, MD
Board Member
Dan brings a multifaceted and unique perspective—physician, 24-years Maryland state legislator, academic, author, and consultant. With over 40 years of experience in Emergency Medicine, he served as Chair of Emergency Medicine at Franklin Square Hospital from 1981 to 1994. He continues on staff at Baltimore’s Sinai Hospital and as faculty at George Washington University.
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Dan represented his community in the Maryland House of Delegates for 24 years (1995–2019), during which he successfully enacted 139 bills across a wide range of issues, with a focus on healthcare, the environment, public safety, and procurement reform. His public service continues through his involvement on numerous boards and commissions, including the Maryland State Behavioral Health Advisory Council, the Maryland ER Wait Time Commission, and the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons.
Contact Us
2406 Ridge Road
Windsor Mill, MD 21244
Serenity Ridge Nature Preserve and Arboretum is a non-profit tax-exempt charitable organization (EIN: 33-1332146) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.