UCONN UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Natural Resources and the Environment
Dr. Robert Ricard Senior Extension Educator UCONN Extension Greater Hartford Campus 1800 Asylum Ave. West Hartford, CT 06117-2600
[email protected]
© University of Connecticut
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
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-Review 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): 248253. 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 and 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
Scholarship 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-Review 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): 248253. 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.
Department of Natural Resources and the Environment College of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Connecticut 1376 Storrs Road, Unit 4087 Storrs, Connecticut 06269-4087 Phone: 860-486-2840