Gov. Greg Gianforte has appointed Montana Department of Agriculture director Christy Clark as the new director of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the governor’s office said in a news release on Friday.

“Christy Clark is a strong leader with the skills needed to lead the agency tasked with protecting Montana’s cherished recreational opportunities and public access to public lands,” Gov. Gianforte said in a statement. “With her record of leadership, I am confident in her as she takes on this new role at FWP. I appreciate her willingness to serve in this new capacity after her successful tenure at MDA.”

Clark will take the top leadership position at FWP following the retirement of Director Dustin Temple, which was announced last month. Temple, who will wrap up a 20-year tenure with the department this year, served in his role for roughly 18 months, having taken over after another two-decade FWP veteran, Hank Worsech, retired in 2023.

Clark served in the Montana House representing Choteau from 2011 through 2016, and began working for the Department of Agriculture in 2015.

“After spending more than 20 years ranching and raising kids, my passion for advocating for agriculture brought me to the Montana Department of Agriculture where it has been an honor to serve Montana and its producers as Director,” Clark said in a press release. “I’m equally passionate about our state’s hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreational opportunities, which truly make Montana, Montana. I’m grateful to Governor Gianforte for this opportunity to continue serving the people of Montana.”

Before becoming agriculture director, Clark served as the department’s agricultural sciences administrator, agricultural development and marketing bureau chief, and deputy director. Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Zach Coccoli will serve as the department’s interim director, according to the governor’s office.

Micah Drew is a reporter for the Daily Montanan, a nonprofit newsroom.