Society History
In November 1990 a group of people in Texas, which also included people from California and Arizona, met to discuss their concern about the decline of the horned lizard. Discussions spread to other U. S. states about their observations on the horned lizards as well. The Horned Lizard Conservation Society became an officially named and chartered organization in January 1991. The Society was later recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in September 1992.
Since then the membership has grown to over 300 members in three different countries. The HLCS also has a quarterly newsletter, a private group Facebook page for our dues-paying members, a public Facebook page, and an Instagram account to help spread the awareness of and scientific work results on the horned lizard.
HLCS has awarded 61 grants and around $55,000 to sponsor worthwhile projects for the scientific study of horned lizards across their ranges, native and transported. Grants have been awarded to study horned lizards in Canada, Mexico and many U.S. states such as Utah, Arizona, Montana, Texas, South Carolina, California, Oklahoma, Washington, Nebraska, Oregon, Nevada, and Colorado. And 11 of the current 17 species have been studied. These grant summaries can be found in the HLCS official newsletter, Phrynosomatics and a brief summary can be found on this website. (“Phrynosomatics” is a noun meaning people who are enthusiastically dedicated to supporting conservation of horned lizards). These grants would not have been made possible without the donations made by generous and concerned people like yourself.
HLCS has sponsored over 21 horned lizard field surveys since 2003 in two states, California and Texas so far. Some were to examine the area for possible reintroduction and others were to count and document the species of horned lizards and populations. Many surveys included DNA sampling through a throat swab or a cloacal swab, no bodies or body parts were taken. The DNA sampling supports many scientific studies including reintroduction efforts and determining ranges of genetic groups and their genetic viability.
HLCS has never and does not condone horned lizard sales or having them as pets. They do not survive as pets as they have a delicate system which is linked to their natural environment.
HLCS has coordinated over nine Society conferences every two to three years since 1992 which have taken place in three states: Texas, California, and Arizona. Presentations have included subjects such as: horned lizard diets, educational materials, breeding in zoos, reintroduction efforts, DNA sampling, and habitat analysis.
HLCS was active in the past in trying to help change the federal conservation status of the Flat-tailed Horned Lizard. HLCS was successful in helping to change the state conservation status of the Greater Short-horned Lizard in Texas through its own study in 2018 from an S3 to an S2 which increases its peril status.
HLCS has rehabilitated horned lizards which were accidentally taken from the wild and, once determined as healthy, were donated to a zoo. And have helped rescue numerous horned lizards from having been taken from the wild. The Society has also contacted online stores that are trying to sell horned lizards and visited brick and mortar pet stores about the legality of selling the specific horned lizards at their store.
HLCS will continue to grow as an organization and continue to support horned lizard research and raising the awareness of the horned lizard.
Since then the membership has grown to over 300 members in three different countries. The HLCS also has a quarterly newsletter, a private group Facebook page for our dues-paying members, a public Facebook page, and an Instagram account to help spread the awareness of and scientific work results on the horned lizard.
HLCS has awarded 61 grants and around $55,000 to sponsor worthwhile projects for the scientific study of horned lizards across their ranges, native and transported. Grants have been awarded to study horned lizards in Canada, Mexico and many U.S. states such as Utah, Arizona, Montana, Texas, South Carolina, California, Oklahoma, Washington, Nebraska, Oregon, Nevada, and Colorado. And 11 of the current 17 species have been studied. These grant summaries can be found in the HLCS official newsletter, Phrynosomatics and a brief summary can be found on this website. (“Phrynosomatics” is a noun meaning people who are enthusiastically dedicated to supporting conservation of horned lizards). These grants would not have been made possible without the donations made by generous and concerned people like yourself.
HLCS has sponsored over 21 horned lizard field surveys since 2003 in two states, California and Texas so far. Some were to examine the area for possible reintroduction and others were to count and document the species of horned lizards and populations. Many surveys included DNA sampling through a throat swab or a cloacal swab, no bodies or body parts were taken. The DNA sampling supports many scientific studies including reintroduction efforts and determining ranges of genetic groups and their genetic viability.
HLCS has never and does not condone horned lizard sales or having them as pets. They do not survive as pets as they have a delicate system which is linked to their natural environment.
HLCS has coordinated over nine Society conferences every two to three years since 1992 which have taken place in three states: Texas, California, and Arizona. Presentations have included subjects such as: horned lizard diets, educational materials, breeding in zoos, reintroduction efforts, DNA sampling, and habitat analysis.
HLCS was active in the past in trying to help change the federal conservation status of the Flat-tailed Horned Lizard. HLCS was successful in helping to change the state conservation status of the Greater Short-horned Lizard in Texas through its own study in 2018 from an S3 to an S2 which increases its peril status.
HLCS has rehabilitated horned lizards which were accidentally taken from the wild and, once determined as healthy, were donated to a zoo. And have helped rescue numerous horned lizards from having been taken from the wild. The Society has also contacted online stores that are trying to sell horned lizards and visited brick and mortar pet stores about the legality of selling the specific horned lizards at their store.
HLCS will continue to grow as an organization and continue to support horned lizard research and raising the awareness of the horned lizard.