The Center for Conservation Biology mourns the passing of our friend, teacher, scholar, conservation biologist, inspiration and role model Dr. Mitchell Agee Byrd.  Dr. Byrd passed away on March 31 2026.  He was 97 years old.  Considered by many to be the father of nongame conservation in Virginia, Dr. Byrd was a modest man who was known widely for his work throughout Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay region with threatened and endangered birds including the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, osprey, red-cockaded woodpecker and piping plover. 
 
Dr. Byrd enjoyed a long academic career and was affiliated with the College of William & Mary for 70 years.  He was chair of the biology department for 13 years and both diversified the opportunities for students and doubled the faculty. He served on several federal teams to recover species, was one of the founders of the Waterbird Society (now a global professional society), and along with former student Bryan Watts co-founded The Center for Conservation Biology, a research unit focused on imperiled bird species throughout the Western Hemisphere. 
 
Dr. Byrd requested no funeral or celebratory service.