Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources

Ken Johnston

Lab Manager, USGS VT Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Kenneth Johnston
Alma mater(s)
  • B.S., Aquatic & Terrestrial Ecology, SUNY Brockport 2015

Areas of expertise

limnology, wetlands, floodplains, rivers, geomorphology

BIO

Originally from the Adirondacks, Ken developed a passion for ecology during his many canoe and backpacking trips. He gained six valuable years of experience working throughout New York State on the Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, and Lake George. His background includes wetlands monitoring, agricultural stream health, harmful algal blooms, ice cover dynamics, salt loads, and high-frequency sensor technologies.

Ken made Vermont his home in 2022 when he was hired as a Wetland Ecologist for the VT DEC. In 2023, he joined UVM to support flood research aimed at improving our understanding floodplain-channel connectivity, sediment and phosphorus transport, and flood routing. This research contributes to the National Water Model. He also leads the development of a non-floodplain wetland phosphorus calculator, designed for state ecologists and consultants to better prioritize which wetlands to conserve and restore.

Recently, Ken transitioned into a new role as the Lab Manager at the USGS VT Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit. Here, he tracks fish behavior to inform management decisions within Lake Champlain, with additional research focused on mapping benthic communities and fish movements.

Bio

Originally from the Adirondacks, Ken developed a passion for ecology during his many canoe and backpacking trips. He gained six valuable years of experience working throughout New York State on the Great Lakes, Finger Lakes, and Lake George. His background includes wetlands monitoring, agricultural stream health, harmful algal blooms, ice cover dynamics, salt loads, and high-frequency sensor technologies.

Ken made Vermont his home in 2022 when he was hired as a Wetland Ecologist for the VT DEC. In 2023, he joined UVM to support flood research aimed at improving our understanding floodplain-channel connectivity, sediment and phosphorus transport, and flood routing. This research contributes to the National Water Model. He also leads the development of a non-floodplain wetland phosphorus calculator, designed for state ecologists and consultants to better prioritize which wetlands to conserve and restore.

Recently, Ken transitioned into a new role as the Lab Manager at the USGS VT Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit. Here, he tracks fish behavior to inform management decisions within Lake Champlain, with additional research focused on mapping benthic communities and fish movements.