Beth Gilhespy, past CEO of the Bruce Trail Conservancy and geology enthusiast, will take the audience on a 450 million year old journey to explore the geology of the Niagara Escarpment. Using images, rock and mineral samples, and stories of her adventures on the Escarpment, Beth will provide a comprehensive and entertaining overview of the Escarpment’s formation, how it has changed over time, and its landscape today.
Beth Gilhespy is Executive Director of the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy, an organization dedicated to securing funds for Toronto Zoo wildlife conservation programs. Between 2004 and 2018 she was Chief Executive Officer of the Bruce Trail Conservancy, where she supervised a staff of 18 and oversaw the activities of more than 1,500 volunteers in trail management and land preservation. During Beth’s time at the BTC more than 6,500 acres of Niagara Escarpment land was acquired by the organization, worth more than $23 million. From 2017 to 2019 Beth served on the Niagara Escarpment Commission. Prior to her work at the Bruce Trail Conservancy, Beth worked for 15 years in the field of toxic chemical management. She holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in physical geography and geology from the University of Guelph.