Where Did the Horny Toad Go?

Once a backyard favorite, the Texas Horned Lizard is disappearing—and it’s not alone. Monarch butterflies, native pollinators, and prairie wildlife are vanishing from our landscapes at an alarming rate. This quiet crisis threatens the biodiversity and natural heritage of the Southwest — and you can play a vital role in helping protect it.

Join Circle Cinema, The Oklahoma Monarch Society, and Okies for Monarchs for a one-night-only screening of Where Did the Horny Toad Go?, a deeply personal documentary by filmmaker Stefanie Leland. Since making the film, Stefanie has taken on a new role as Director of Communications and Marketing for the Oklahoma Monarch Society, continuing her work to protect the native landscapes both species depend on. Tickets on sale now, $11 Circle members and $13 non-members.

50% of ticket sales goes directly to the Oklahoma Monarch Society’s statewide conservation efforts. Stay after the screening for a special Q&A session with filmmakers Stefanie and Beau Leland, musical composer Steven Stark, sound recordist Royce Sharp, and field herpetologist Aaron Goodwin. Plus, don’t miss the Okies for Monarchs educational booth in the lobby, where you can learn how to support native species in our own backyards.

About the film: All over the Southwestern United States there exists a shared memory that spans generations, yet with each passing decade that memory fades...The unforgotten and beloved “horny toad” remains very near and dear to many people’s hearts. Embark on a journey as we travel through history and across the southwest to rediscover the endearing and unusual Texas Horned Lizard. On our voyage we'll meet a number of enthusiasts who are as interesting as the prehistoric-looking reptile of which we seek. Ultimately we will discover how this lizard’s decline is linked to numerous other species in peril and how we can be a part of the solution....even though we may be part of the problem.

About the director: Stefanie Leland is a conservation enthusiast and creative storyteller from western Oklahoma. With Bachelor’s degrees in both Biology and Theatre Arts, as well as an associate degree in Film and Video Production, Stefanie blends her love for nature with her passion for the arts.

Early in her career, Stefanie directed and produced environmental documentaries, including Bokoshe: In the Air We Breathe for the Sierra Club Cimarron Group and Where Did the Horny Toad Go?, an independent feature. She has also worked on a variety of creative endeavors, including national commercials and Her Flag, a nationwide art project by Marilyn Artus celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment.

Prior to working at the Oklahoma Monarch Society she served as the Marketing and Communications Manager at the Oklahoma Arts Institute, where she helped amplify the organization’s mission and foster a deeper connection to the arts.

When she isn’t working, Stefanie enjoys life on a 20-acre farm forest near Choctaw with her husband, son, and daughter. She can often be found tending to plants, observing wildlife, or painting nature-inspired watercolors. Stefanie is grateful to have found a role at the Oklahoma Monarch Society that allows her to marry her passion for conservation with her professional work, helping to protect pollinators and the ecosystems they support.