Delta Waterfowl Promotes Baird to VP of Government Affairs
Cyrus Baird continues to push for increased conservation funding and quality duck hunting opportunities
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — Delta Waterfowl has promoted Cyrus Baird to vice president of government affairs.
A dedicated conservation professional with strong advocacy experience at federal, state, and local levels, Baird joined Delta’s policy team in July 2021. For the past four years, he’s worked diligently and effectively on behalf of ducks and duck hunters for Delta, advocating for increased conservation funding and expanded access to quality waterfowl hunting opportunities, helping to secure the future of waterfowl hunting for the next generation.
Among his many accomplishments, Baird has led Delta’s efforts to repeal of Sunday hunting prohibitions in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and on public lands in Virginia. He continues to work for new and expanded hunting opportunities on national wildlife refuges through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Hunt-Fish Rule. He advocated for Louisiana to invest millions into conservation projects at White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area to improve winter waterfowl habitat and public hunting. Baird aided Maryland in the passage of historic funding for conservation enhancement and infrastructure improvements that provide access to quality waterfowl hunting and was instrumental in the effort to pass legislation to put Florida’s Right to Hunt and Fish amendment on the ballot.
“He has quickly become a true leader in the policy world, not only as it relates to his contributions to the policy team at Delta but also by securing wins for duck hunters across the United States,” said John Devney, Delta’s chief policy officer. “Baird’s leadership is visible in the repeal of Sunday hunting prohibitions in the Atlantic Flyway, working collaboratively with partners on conservation funding, and so much more. We are delighted to reward his good work with a much-deserved promotion.”
Notably, Baird also has modernized the way Delta Waterfowl interacts and engages with its members and volunteers on policy issues by launching the Duck Hunters Action Alert System. By using this convenient system, people can stay informed and easily weigh in on policy matters and legislation that affects waterfowl and waterfowl hunters.
An avid duck hunter with a degree in wildlife and fisheries biology from Clemson University, Baird continues to grow in his career as a leading voice for duck hunters. He’s a graduate of Cohort 18 of the National Conservation Leadership Institute, and has served on the Hunter Leadership Forum’s Voice of Leadership Panel.
“Waking up each morning and getting to work on behalf of ducks and duck hunters continues to be a dream for me,” Baird said. “Delta is continuing to increase our impact and involvement on public policy issues at every level of government across North America, and I’m very thankful to be in the position I am to lead the charge on those efforts.”
Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group working to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit deltawaterfowl.org.
Contact Cyrus Baird at cbaird@deltawaterfowl.org.