2006 - present         

1998 - 2006                         

1993 - 1998             

1991 - 1993             

1989 - 1991             

1985 - 1989             

My research focuses primarily on political behavior in organizations and the intersection of politics and public policy in natural resource governance.  I am conducting research on the politics and policy processes of federal urban forestry and the resulting effect on network relationships, social capital, and intergovernmental relationships.  I am also interested in public service motivation and program accountability.  My research helps inform environmental leaders, public managers, and network participants how to engage more productively in governance networks.  I employ quantitative and qualitative research methods including survey research, focus groups, organization diagnostics, social capital assessment, social network analysis, program evaluation, and policy analysis.

My teaching expertise is in the areas of urban natural resources (i.e., tree law, urban forest planning, urban forest inventory, risk tree assessment) and natural resource governance (public policy, management, and administration) including nonprofit and public organization leadership and management, team development, policy processes, social networks, social capital, program evaluation, and legislative affairs.

I am responsible to helping Connecticut’s cities and towns’ better manage their public trees and forests (urban forest management).  My addresses urban forestry issues specifically and natural resources generally 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.

2005  

2002  

1997  

1995  

The Urban Forestry Professional Medal, National Urban Forest Council

2007-2009  

National Convention Program Committee, SAF

Editorial Board, Journal of Forestry

1995-present  

2003-2004

1999-2000

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.

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.

Ricard, R.M. and J. Alexopoulos. 1998. The Value of Trees in Connecticut's Urban Forest.  University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System.  83 pp.

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. and B. Bennett.  1996. Tree Wardens Manual, 1st ed. University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System and the Tree Wardens' Association of Connecticut.  89 pp.

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.

1992

1993

1998