Gov. Steve Bullock has been named the new chairman of the Western Governors' Association. Bullock previously was the group's vice chair. He was elevated to the chairmanship Tuesday, the final day of the group's meeting in Jackson, Wyoming.

"We’ve made great strides in Montana with our ‘Forests in Focus’ initiative," said Bullock. "Other western states are trying different approaches, and I look forward to hearing about them from my colleagues and other stakeholders, and charting a course for improving the health of our forests and public lands."

The Western Governors' Association represents the Governors of 19 Western states and 3 U.S.-flag islands. The association is an instrument of the governors for bipartisan policy development, information exchange and collective action on issues of critical importance to the Western United States.

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