New Mexico Restores Title of ‘Enchantment’
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico could soon regain its title as the “Land of Enchantment” – complete with its own butterfly, toad and lizard.
A bill that would restore the distinction plus name new official state critters won approval from the state Legislature and awaits the governor’s signature.
The Sandia hairstreak – a small, green-and-gold butterfly found in much of the state – would become the official state butterfly.
The New Mexico whiptail lizard would be the official state reptile, while the New Mexico spadefoot toad assumes the role of official amphibian.
They would join a list of official symbols that include a state bird, tree, animal, vegetable, gem, grass, fossil, fish, flower, cookie and insect.
The legislation makes New Mexico “the Land of Enchantment” again. The nickname was accidentally deleted from state statutes when that portion of the law was amended a few years ago.
But one colleague wasn’t so enchanted.
“It seems to me we spend an awful lot of time and an awful lot of money worrying about these things,” said Sen. William Sharer.
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