On May 19, 2023, Vermont Law and Graduate School commemorated the life and work of Don Baur. Don was an outstanding environmental and animal lawyer, a mentor and inspiration to many, and champion for the Animal Law and Policy Institute. He has been incredibly missed since his passing last fall.
During the Honorary Degree Lecture, Tim Eichenberg and Delcianna Winders, Don’s long-time friends, mentees, and colleagues, gave moving eulogies celebrating his incredible life.
At graduation on May 20th, VLGS bestowed a posthumous honorary degree to Don which was accepted by Tim Eichenberg on Don’s behalf.
2023 Commencement: Honorary Degree Lecture
Donald C. Baur
The 2023 Environmental Honorary Degree will be conferred posthumously to Don Baur, who served as a summer faculty member for the VLGS Environmental Law Center for nearly three decades. Known for his quiet, steadfast nature, Don tirelessly advocated on behalf of animals, national parks, and the environment. During his many years of service, he received the Marine Wildlife Conservation Award from the Center for Marine Conservation, the 1872 Award for Service to the National Parks from the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, and the Wings Award for Animal Welfare Advocacy from the Pegasus Foundation.
Don received his BA degree, with highest honors, from Trinity College and his JD degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He worked in the Solicitor’s Office of the Department of the Interior before serving as the general counsel of the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission, and he sat on the boards of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the Shenandoah National Park Trust, and the Environmental Leadership Council of the Environmental Law Institute. His publications include the American Bar Association books Endangered Species Act: Law, Policy and Perspectives and Ocean and Coastal Law and Policy.
In addition, Don was a partner in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources (EER) practice at the Washington, D.C., office of Perkins Coie LLP, which recognized him in memoriam for his leadership in “bringing the firm’s EER practice to national prominence and playing a lead role in recruiting and training a generation of environmental lawyers.”
Numerous Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) students gained invaluable experience through internships with Don’s help, and he was a mentor to many more. He was also a champion of VLGS’s new Animal Law and Policy Institute.
Don’s Oceans and Coastal Law class was one of VLGS’s most popular courses. This is no wonder when you look at his incredible pro bono work to help whales, sea otters, and the oceans. One notable case was when he represented Keiko the orca, who was featured in the Disney movie Free Willy. With Don’s continued efforts, Keiko was finally freed from the Oregon Coast Aquarium in 1998.
Up until just days before he died, Don also worked tirelessly on behalf of “Lolita,” the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale who has been held captive at the Miami Seaquarium in the smallest orca tank in the world for more than half a century—and who is now slated to be transferred to a seaside sanctuary in her home waters.
These are only two of the many contributions Don has made to animal rights, ocean conservation, parks, and the environment. Through his demonstration of perseverance and quiet determination, Don Baur has inspired and influenced many generations of environmental and animal lawyers.