Rhett Johnson deep in the heart of the Agassiz Wilderness Area. - FWS photo by Sue Braastad

Rhett Johnson, adjunct professor and restoration ecologist at the University of Minnesota-Crookston, was recognized for outstanding research by the University of Minnesota's graduate school. 

His Masters Degree Thesis, "Peatland Trees and Hydrology: A Dendrochronological Examination of Black Spruce and Tamarack Growth and Associated Hydrology in a Peatland in Marshall County, Minnesota", was nominated for and received runner-up in a competition for the 2006 Distinguished Master's Thesis Award.   

Field work for his theseis was conducted in the Agassiz NWR Wilderness Area from 2002 to 2004.  He  completed all requirements for his degree in the late fall of 2006.  Rhett spent 100s of hours in a very difficult field setting as well as 100s of hours in the lab.  His work in the field, lab and statistical analysis were meticulous.  He is very deserving of this recognition.