Most Texans recognize the horned lizard — or “horny toad” as some of us still call it — as one of the state’s most iconic critters. It’s a symbol of ruggedness and survival, and for 25 years, it’s been the face of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Conservation License Plate Program.
Now, the state’s oldest conservation plate is getting a fresh look, and the public has a say in what comes next.
Since launching in 1999, these specialty plates have raised over $12 million for Texas wildlife conservation. The horned lizard plate alone has brought in more than $3.4 million. That money goes straight into projects that help protect Texas wildlife — from bumblebees to snapping turtles — and the habitats they depend on.
According to TPWD’s Richard Heilbrun, the horned lizard stands for more than nostalgia. It’s a symbol of the wild Texas spirit. “Just tough enough and just the right amount of endearing,” he says. But these little reptiles aren’t as common as they used to be. Conservation efforts are in place to change that — many of them funded by sales of this plate.
If you care about Texas wildlife and want to put your stamp on the next generation of license plates, TPWD is inviting folks to vote between three new horned lizard designs. It’s a short online survey and doesn’t take more than a minute.
The Conservation Plate Program doesn’t stop at horned lizards. There are designs for everything from deer and bighorn sheep to hummingbirds and bass. Each one supports a different part of the Texas outdoors, whether it’s game management, state parks or fisheries.
Plates cost $30 a year, and $22 of that goes directly to the cause. You can order one for your vehicle, trailer or motorcycle anytime — no need to wait for registration renewal. Just swing by conservationplate.org or your local county tax office.
If you’re the kind who likes your money to make a difference — especially when it comes to Texas wildlife — this is one way to do it.
