Delta Waterfowl’s Cyrus Baird Appointed to Virginia Board of Wildlife Resources

Baird will help steward the state’s natural resources for future generations of hunters and anglers

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has appointed Cyrus Baird, Delta Waterfowl’s vice president of government affairs, to serve on the state’s Board of Wildlife Resources, which oversees the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

A native Virginian, dedicated conservationist, and hunter, Baird has been an advocate for waterfowl habitat and duck hunters at the federal, state, and local levels. He joined Delta’s Policy Team in 2021 and has worked diligently to increase conservation funding and expand access to quality waterfowl hunting opportunities.

“I am deeply honored to have been appointed by Gov. Spanberger to serve on the Board of Wildlife Resources,” Baird said. “As a lifelong Virginian, lifelong hunter, and conservation advocate, this appointment carries tremendous personal meaning for me. Virginia’s wildlife, waters, and outdoor traditions have shaped who I am, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Commonwealth and help steward these resources for future generations of sportsmen and women.” 

Baird’s policy work includes advocating for new and expanded hunting opportunities on National Wildlife Refuges through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Hunt-Fish Rule. Recently, USFWS proposed opening or expanding waterfowl hunting on 41 NWRs and National Fish Hatcheries. He has worked to repeal Sunday hunting prohibitions in multiple Atlantic Flyway states, including Virginia. 

Baird advocated investing millions of dollars in conservation projects at Louisiana’s White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area to improve winter waterfowl habitat and public hunting. He has assisted with the passage of historic funding in Maryland for conservation enhancement and infrastructure improvements that provide access to quality waterfowl hunting. Baird was also instrumental in the effort to pass legislation to put Florida’s Right to Hunt and Fish amendment on the ballot.

“Baird has become a leader in conservation policy and advocating for more waterfowl hunting access, which makes him an ideal selection for this board appointment,” said John Devney, Delta’s chief policy officer. “He was influential in the repeal of Sunday hunting prohibitions in multiple Atlantic Flyway states, working with our partners on conservation funding and many other projects.”

VDWR traces its roots to 1903, when Virginia hired its first game wardens to protect the state’s natural resources. Originally known as the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the agency was officially founded in 1916. Today, VDWR manages hundreds of animal species, maintains more than 225,000 acres of public Wildlife Management Areas, and operates hatcheries to stock waterways.

Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group founded in 1911 that uses science-based solutions to produce ducks, conserve prairie wetlands, and ensure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit our website.

For more information, contact Cyrus Baird.