Provost Peggy Agouris sent the following message to the campus community on April 13, 2026. – Ed.
Dear colleagues,
I write to share the sad news that Mitchell Agee Byrd, Professor Emeritus, Biology, died on March 31, 2026, at the age of 97. Prof. Byrd was a distinguished scholar, teacher, and conservation biologist whose life and work shaped the future of wildlife conservation in Virginia and beyond.
Widely regarded as the father of nongame conservation in Virginia, Prof. Byrd was known for his decades-long work on behalf of threatened and endangered bird species, including the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, osprey, red-cockaded woodpecker, and piping plover. Affectionately known as “The Byrd Man,” he was equally at home in the field, the classroom, and the public arena, where he became one of the most trusted and influential voices in conservation of his generation.
A member of the William & Mary community for more than 70 years, Prof. Byrd served as chair of the Department of Biology from 1962 to 1976, guiding a period of transformative growth and elevating the department to national prominence. His ornithology courses were among the most popular at the university, and he was a devoted mentor to nearly 40 graduate students and thousands of undergraduates. He considered their success to be his greatest professional achievement.
Prof. Byrd believed deeply in the power of public engagement and education. Over the course of his career, he delivered hundreds of public presentations and contributed regularly to media coverage of conservation issues. His work increasingly emphasized the protection of habitat as the foundation of species recovery, and he played a central role in the establishment and stewardship of wildlife refuges, state parks, natural areas, and conservation lands throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. His passion and commitment inspired generations of biologists and conservation leaders.
Prof. Byrd’s contributions extended far beyond the university. He was a founder of the Waterbird Society and co-founder, with former student Bryan Watts, of The Center for Conservation Biology. He served on numerous scientific and conservation boards, led federal recovery teams for species such as the bald eagle and peregrine falcon, and was instrumental in major conservation initiatives across the region. His efforts contributed directly to the recovery of species and the protection of critical habitats.
Throughout his life, Prof. Byrd received numerous honors recognizing his leadership and impact, including more than 20 major conservation awards. He retired as Chancellor Professor Emeritus from William & Mary, where an endowed professorship bears his name. Despite these accolades, he remained modest and deeply committed to service.
Even in his later years, Prof. Byrd remained active in the field and the classroom, flying aerial surveys into his nineties and delivering lectures until the end of his life. Known for his wit, humility, and kindness, he left a lasting impression on colleagues, students, and all who had the privilege to know him. He often concluded his remarks with a guiding principle: that the human capacity to understand the natural world carries with it a responsibility to protect it.
Prof. Byrd lived a life of integrity, purpose, and service. His legacy endures in the landscapes he helped protect, the species he helped recover, and the many lives he influenced.
Sincerely,
Peggy