FLOW is proud that one of our own, former founding board member, Tom Baird, has been appointed by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) and is officially confirmed as of Monday, May 24. The NRC, which oversees the state Department of Natural Resources, has exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game and sport fish in Michigan, and to establish seasons. Its meetings are a forum for a myriad of natural resources concerns.
A lifelong sport fisherman, Baird says he is humbled by the opportunity to serve on the NRC. “Many conservation giants have served on the Commission,” he adds. “Michigan’s reputation as a leader in natural resources protection was achieved, in part, by the work of the NRC.”
The NRC was created as the state Conservation Commission by the Legislature 100 years ago. Its name was changed to the Natural Resources Commission in 1965.
Baird began serving as a FLOW board member in 2011, our founding year a decade ago. To accept the NRC appointment, he has resigned from the FLOW board.
“Tom has been a strong, steady force for protecting Michigan’s land, water, fish and wildlife for a long time,” said Jim Olson, FLOW’s founder and senior legal advisor. “He’ll sometimes jump on something to help, when you know he’s busy. But then, as demonstrated by his leadership on the Board of FLOW, when he takes something on, he’s in it to succeed, if necessary, for the long haul. Governor Whitmer made a great choice.”
Baird owns Thomas Baird Consultants. A resident of Elk Rapids, he has a bachelor of science degree from Grand Valley State University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. His appointment runs through December 31, 2024.
