Environmental groups are lauding the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for expanding the number of species — including, for the first time, insects — listed in the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), a guiding document for conservation projects across the state.

“It’s been an extraordinary process,” said Bryan Bird, Southwest program director for Defenders of Wildlife, speaking to the State Game Commission during its meeting last Friday (Aug. 9) at Bataan Hall in downtown Taos. Bird gave a shout out to Ginny Seamster, the department’s assistant chief for technical guidance who is heading up the revision process.