Chair's Initiative

Working Lands, Working Communities

The central policy initiative of Western Governors’ Association Chair and Idaho Governor Brad Little will examine the interdependent relationships between local, state and federal land resource management entities in the West, as well as the role that local communities play in successful land planning and management processes.

Watch the launch event for the Initiative

Available for Download

2021 Annual Report

The WGA 2021 Annual Report highlights the past year’s policy work by the governors on topics such as broadband connectivity, workforce development, COVID-19 response, cybersecurity, wildfires, species management, and water. You'll also learn about the Governors' meetings and WGA's finances.

Read, Download the Report

LEARN ABOUT THE WEST

'Out West' Podcast

The latest episode of Out West, “Meet the Winners of the 2021 Celebrate the West Art Competition," highlights the top three vote-getters in this year’s regional art contest. Listen to what these talented young artists have to say about their inspiration and ambitions.

LISTEN: "Meet the winners of the 2021 Celebrate the West competition"

POLICY

Resolutions

Western Governors enact new policy resolutions and amend existing resolutions on a bi-annual basis. In June of 2021 they approved five resolutions on: Disaster Preparedness and Response, Transportation Infrastructure in the Western United States, Water Resource Management in the West, Cleaning Up Abandoned Hardrock Mines in the West, and Water Quality in the West.

Read, download resolutions

HIGH SCHOOL ART COMPETITION

Celebrate the West

The Western Governors’ Foundation is excited to announce the winners in our sixth annual art competition. Nearly 400 works from 19 WGA member states, as well as Guam, were entered in the competition that challenges high school students to create artwork inspired by their state. See the overall winners from New Mexico, Arizona and Alaska, as well as all state finalists.

View a Gallery of This Year's Winners

2021 Annual Meeting

WGA hosted a "virtual" 2021 Annual Meeting on June 30-July 1. Highlights included WGA Chair and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown reporting on her "Electric Vehicles Roadmap Initiative" and participation by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, and EPA Administrator Michael Regan. The Western Governors' Leadership Institute also was launched.

See highlights of the Annual Meeting

SPECIAL REPORT

Electric Vehicles Roadmap Initiative

The central policy effort of WGA Chair and Oregon Governor Kate Brown sought to achieve an expanded regional agreement on electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the West. The Special Report of the Initiative contains recommendations on federal policy issues that affect public and private investments in EV infrastructure and includes an umbrella agreement among the states around a shared set of principles regarding EV infrastructure planning.

Read, download the Special Report

Western Prosperity Roundtable

The Western Prosperity Roundtable supports WGA’s work on policies that advance Western Governors’ vision for expanded prosperity throughout the West. The Roundtable addresses interrelated issues affecting opportunity and quality of life to discuss strategies that promote vibrant communities and thriving local economies.

Watch all sessions of the Inaugural Forum

SAVE THE DATE: WGA Winter Meeting, Dec. 9-10, 2021, Coronado, Calif.

Register for WGA 2021 Winter Meeting, featuring public opinion expert Frank...

09/13/2021

EXPLORE OUR POLICY

Despite being diagnosed with ALS, a woman recently summitted Mount Elbert, the tallest mountain in #Colorado, using… https://t.co/5c5JrRu7k0

With $5M in donations from @HelmsleyTrust, The Badlands Natural History Association and others, @BadlandsNPS is rep… https://t.co/NwnOSJs1u9

Using 31 metrics like the highest income growth, the highest rates of adequate sleep and volunteering, @wallethub r… https://t.co/ormvS6lrHF

Watch a video and learn about the newly launched Western Governors’ Leadership Institute. You could be selected to… https://t.co/nQHpkxPHLW

CHAIR'S INITIATIVE

Working Lands, Working Communities

By Idaho
Brad Little

The Chair's Initiative of Western Governors’ Association Chair and Idaho Governor Brad Little will examine the interdependent relationships between western communities, state and federal land resource management entities, as well as the role that local communities play in successful land planning and management processes.

Chair's Initiative