Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1993 to protect the last known breeding population of the Wyoming toad. The Refuge encompasses 1,776 acres and is located southwest of Laramie, Wyoming. There are four main lakes that are associated with many other Laramie plains lakes, a series of high elevation lakes in a short grass-prairie ecosystem. The Refuge is not staffed and is a satellite of Arapaho NWR. The Wyoming toad was listed as a Federally endangered species in 1984 and thought to be extinct. In 1987, a small population of Wyoming toads was discovered at Mortenson Lake. A Wyoming Toad Recovery Team was established to protect the small population, and captive breeding was initiated.

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