Dr. Robert Ricard
Senior Extension Educator
UCONN Extension
Office: Greater Hart Ford Campus, 1800 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117-2600
Email: robert.ricard@uconn.edu
Extension Outreach Possibilities
Education
| Ph.D. | Forest Resources and Public Policy | University of Massachusetts Amherst |
| M.Sc.F. | Forest Genetics/Silviculture | University of New Brunswick, Canada |
| M.S. | Forest Resources | University of New Hampshire |
| B.S. | Outdoor Recreation and Education | Lyndon State College, Vermont |
Professional Experience
| 2006 - Present | Senior Extension Educator, UCONN Extension Program Team Leader, Natural Resources and the Environment |
| 1998 - 2006 | Extension Educator, UCONN Extension |
| 1993 - 1998 | Associate Extension Educator, UCONN Extension |
| 1991 - 1993 | Assistant Extension Educator, UCONN Extension |
| 1989 - 1991 | Executive Director, Massachusetts Forestry AssociationWomen’s Ice Hockey coach, Amherst College |
| 1985 - 1989 | Teacher/coach, Phillips Exeter Academy, New Hampshire |
Research Interests
My research focuses on the social and political interactions of natural resources management (broadly) and other domains such as phytotechology, plant sciences, adventure recreation, parks, and landscape architecture. My research helps inform elected officials, environmental leaders, stakeholders, opinion leaders, public managers, environmental scientists, and network participants how to engage more productively in collaborations and networks. I am a social scientist who employs both quantitative and qualitative research methods including statistical analysis, survey research, focus groups, organization diagnostics, social capital assessment, social network analysis, program evaluation, and policy analysis.
Teaching Expertise
My teaching expertise is in human dimensions of natural resources. I cover a wide range of social and political science in the realms of natural resources, phytotechnology, landscape architecture and planning intended to prepare students to be “society ready.” Domains include leadership and management, team development, public policy processes, attitudes and behaviors, values and norms, social networks, social capital, program evaluation, and legislative affairs.
Extension Outreach Responsibilities
I have been responsible to helping Connecticut’s cities and towns’ better manage their public trees and forests (urban forest management). My extension outreach education and research addresses urban forestry issues focusing on tree wardens, natural resource volunteers and professionals, and municipal and elected officials. This is accomplished through targeted programs, presentations, and publications developed as a result of needs assessments and program evaluations. I am also engaged in outreach education and research in forest resources issues generally, phytotechnology and remediation, adventure recreation, and parks and recreation.
Honors and Awards
| 2008 | Alfred D. Bell Fellowship, Forest History Society |
| 2005 | Extension Award of Excellence, University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| 2004 | Award of Excellence, Northeast Extension Directors |
| 2002 | Elected Fellow, Society of American Foresters (SAF) |
| 2003 | James W. Toumey Service Award, New England SAF |
| 1997 | Gamma Sigma Delta, Agriculture Honor Society |
| 1996 | Young Forester Leadership Award, New England SAF |
| 1995 | Berg Conservation Policy Fellow, National Soil and Water Conservation Society |
| 1993 | The Urban Forestry Professional Medal, National Urban Forest Council |
| 1993 | Early-Career Award, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Connecticut |
| 1981 | Xi Sigma Pi, National Forestry Honor Society |
Major Offices, Editorships, and Committees
| 2013 - Present | Ethics Committee, Society of American Foresters (SAF) |
| 2008 - Present | Committee on Accreditation, SAF |
| 2010 - Present | Urban Forestry Professional Certification development committee, SAF |
| 2008 - Present | Committee on Accreditation, SAF |
| 2007 - 2009 | National Convention Program Committee, SAF |
| 2001 - 2002 | Vice-Chair, House of Society Delegates, SAF |
| 2003 - 2004 | Chair, Yankee Division, SAF |
| 1999 - 2000 | Chair, New England SAF |
| 1999 - 2000 | Chair, Urban and Community Forestry Working Group, SAF |
| - Outdoor Adventure Recreation Leadership/Instructor | |
| - Wilderness First Responder, Certified, Wilderness Medical Associates International | |
| - Swift Water Rescue (Basic), Certified, American Canoeing Association (ACA) | |
| - White Water Kayaking Certified Instructor, Level III, ACA | |
| - Red Cross Adult CPR/AED/First Aid, Certified, American Red Cross | |
| - Faculty Advisor, University of Connecticut, White Water Kayaking Club | |
| - Co-leader/Instructor, White Water Kayaking, University of Massachusetts Outing Club |
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
- Ricard, R.M., A.I. Legrand, D.W. Hirsch, T. Gabany-Guerrero, and N. Guerrero-Murillo. 2008. A mixed-methods analysis of the educational needs of employers and non-English speaking workers in arboriculture. Journal of Extension 46(4): [on-line].
- Ricard, R.M. and M.H. McDonough. 2007. What do foresters think about urban forestry, urban people, and cities. Journal of Forestry 105(6): 285-292. Ricard, R.M. and D.V. Bloniarz. 2006. Learning preferences, job satisfaction, community interactions, and urban forestry practices of New England (USA) tree wardens. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 5: 1-15
- Konijnendijk, C.C., R.M. Ricard, A. Kenney and T.B. Randrup. 2006. Defining urban forestry – A comparative perspective of North America and Europe. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 4: 93-103.
- Ricard, R.M. 2005. The Meskwaka Tree Project: Ten years of community forestry volunteer development. Journal of Extension 43(6): 1-4.
- Ricard, R.M. 2005. Tree warden education: Voluntary certification versus regulation. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry 22(4): 248-253.
- Ricard, R.M. 2005. Shade trees and tree wardens: Revising urban forest history. Journal of Forestry 103(5): 230-233.
- Ricard, R.M. 2004. Connecticut tree wardens and voluntary certification. Journal of the Society of Municipal Arborists 40(4): 6-7.
- Aunan, T. and R.M. Ricard. 1997. CITYgreen: A review of an ARC/View add-on program. Journal of Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing. June. Pp. 665-667; 678-679.
Books
- Ricard, R.M. History of Connecticut Forestry (in progress)
- Ricard, R.M. and G.D. Dreyer, eds. 2005. Greening Connecticut Cities and Towns: Managing Public Trees and Community Forests. University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System. 260 pp.
Extension Manuals
- Ricard, R.M., G. Foran, K. Reichle and B. Bennett. 2009. Tree Wardens Manual, 3rd ed. University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System and the Tree Wardens' Association of Connecticut.
- Alexopoulos, J., P. Stahl, and R.M. Ricard. 2007. Urban Tree Selection Manual: A Guide for Selecting Trees for the Urban Environment. University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System. 121 pp.
- Ricard, R.M., K. Reichle and B. Bennett. 2001. Tree Wardens Manual, 2nd ed. University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System and the Tree Wardens' Association of Connecticut.
- Ricard, R.M. and B. Bennett. 1996. Tree Wardens Manual, 1st ed. University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System and the Tree Wardens' Association of Connecticut. 89 pp.
Extension Booklets
- Harvey, M. and R.M. Ricard. 2001. Tree Planting for Connecticut Homes and Public Spaces. (English/Spanish). University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System. 24 pp. (two printings)
- Carey, A.C., C. Donnelly, R.M. Ricard and C. Berger. 2001. Connecticut General Statutes and Regulations of Interest to Arborists, Tree Wardens and Forest Practitioners: A Reference Guide. University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System. 134 pp.
- Ricard, R.M. 1996. Effective Meetings for Natural Resource Volunteers and Professionals. University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System. 34 pp.
- Ricard, R.M. and S.H. Broderick. 1996. Effective Communications for Natural Resource Volunteers and Professionals. University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System. 44 pp.
- Ricard, R.M. 1994. The Youth/Mentors/Trees Project Action Guide. The University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System. 17pp.
Extension Programs Created and Managed & Organizations Founded
| 1992 | Tree Wardens’ Association of Connecticut, Inc. (founder) |
| 1992 | Meskwaka Tree Project |
| 1993 | Connecticut Youth/Mentors/Trees Project |
| 1998 | Connecticut Tree Warden School and Certification Program |
Scholarships
- Associate Editor
- Journal of Forestry Human Dimensions (2012 – present) Urban Forestry (1997- 2004) Urban Forestry & Urban Greening (international) (2011 – present)
- Reviewer
- Journal of Extension (2004 – present); Northern Journal of Applied Forestry; Forest Science; Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement; Urban and Landscape Planning.
Peer-Reviewed Journals
- Journal of Forestry Human Dimensions (2012 – present) Urban Forestry (1997- 2004) Urban Forestry & Urban Greening (international) (2011 – present)
- Journal of Extension (2004 – present); Northern Journal of Applied Forestry; Forest Science; Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement; Urban and Landscape Planning.
- Pagliughi, E., J. Kuzovkina, R.M.. Ricard. 2012. Master Gardener perceptions and preferences of a novel horticultural product—DIY Living Structures kits. HortTechnology 22(4): 446-451.
- Westa, S., R.M. Ricard and P. Stahl. 2012. Education Needs of Land Use Decision-makers in Rural Southern New England: A Longitudinal Study. Practicing Planner 10(3): [on-line]
- Saska, M.M., Y.A. Kuzovkina, and R.M. Ricard. 2010. North American willow cut-stem growers: a survey of the business identities, production practices and prospective for the crop. HortTechnology 20(2): 351-356.
- Ricard, R.M., A.I. Legrand, D.W. Hirsch, T. Gabany-Guerrero, and N. Guerrero-Murillo. 2008. A mixed-methods analysis of the educational needs of employers and non-English speaking workers in arboriculture. Journal of Extension 46(4): [on-line].
- Ricard, R.M. and M.H. McDonough. 2007. What do foresters think about urban forestry, urban people, and cities. Journal of Forestry 105(6): 285-292.
- Ricard, R.M. and D.V. Bloniarz. 2006. Learning preferences, job satisfaction, community interactions, and urban forestry practices of New England (USA) tree wardens. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 5: 1-15
- Konijnendijk, C.C., R.M. Ricard, A. Kenney and T.B. Randrup. 2006. Defining urban forestry – A comparative perspective of North America and Europe. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 4: 93-103.
- Ricard, R.M. 2005. The Meskwaka Tree Project: Ten years of community forestry volunteer development. Journal of Extension 43(6): 1-4.
- Ricard, R.M. 2005. Tree warden education: Voluntary certification versus regulation. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry 22(4): 248-253.
- Ricard, R.M. 2005. Shade trees and tree wardens: Revising urban forest history. Journal of Forestry 103(5): 230-233.
- Ricard, R.M. 2004. Connecticut tree wardens and voluntary certification. Journal of the Society of Municipal Arborists 40(4): 6-7.