Conservation License Plate Program marks 25 years with revamped lizard design
The horned lizard is the official Texas state reptile. File photo
Help the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department pick a new horned lizard design to mark the 25th anniversary of its Conservation License Plate Program.
Texans can choose among three potential designs online that update TPWD’s popular horned lizard plate, the first conservation plate offered to residents. Proceeds from the sales of a wide range of conservation plates go toward funding state fisheries, parks, wildlife management, research, and other projects.
“The Texas horned lizard is an iconic Texas critter,” said TPWD Wildlife Conservation Program Director Richard Heilbrun in a media release announcing the design survey. “Just tough enough and just the right amount of endearing to represent our people, our wildlife, and our wild places. Unfortunately, we don’t have as many horned lizards as we used to, but TPWD is trying to fix that through conservation projects, which are partially funded by the sale of this plate.”
Revenues boost a range of projects that help protect native species and their habitats, including the horned lizard, which is Texas’ official state reptile, bumblebees and other pollinators, Texas tortoises, alligator snapping turtles, and a long list of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plants. Learn more from “Where the Money Goes” at conservationplate.org.
“Since its debut 25 years ago, the conservation plate program has generated more than $12 million in revenue,” said TPWD Deputy Communications Director Cory Chandler in the media release. “Even after all of these years, the horned lizard plate is still the fan favorite and the highest-selling plate, having contributed more than $3.4 million. With the plate redesign, we hope to freshen its look and attract new customers who are wild about nature and want to support wildlife conservation in Texas.”
Other conservation plate designs include:
- monarch butterfly, rattlesnake, and hummingbird, benefiting non-game wildlife;
- white-tailed deer and bighorn sheep for big game management;
- camping and bluebonnet to help state parks;
- largemouth bass and Texas rivers, which benefit fisheries;
- and roadrunner for nature tourism and habitat conservation.
To purchase the horned lizard plate or one of the other 10 conservation license plates available, visit www.conservationplate.org or your local county tax assessor-collector’s office. The plates are available for vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles and cost just $30 per year, with $22 going directly to TPWD-sponsored conservation projects. Buyers do not have to wait until they receive a renewal notice—they can order at any time and the cost will be pro-rated.