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Duane Friend teaching at a conference
Time to say farewell to your weather Friend
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. This author will be heading out to pasture and retiring in May after working with University...
Raindrops falling onto an umbrella
Raindrops, big and small, make up April showers
April is one of the wettest times of the year in Illinois and across the Midwest. On average, Illinois receives about 4.24 inches of rain during this...
A sunrise over a farm field and wind turbines
Why do we use meteorological and astronomical seasons?
In Illinois, February can still have some extremely cold days, but also some hints of spring. It gives us a taste of the warmer weather to come. Yes...
a fire burns at night in California just outside a city
Santa Ana winds spur Los Angeles wildfires
At the time I’m writing this, a tragedy is occurring in the Los Angeles area. Thousands of acres have burned, and countless homes, businesses, and...
sunset shining through snowy forest
Are cold temperatures good for soil quality?
Cold winter air is one reason that we have highly productive soil in Illinois and the Midwest. Temperature plays a major role in how much organic...
Black and white sketch of historic Jamestown
The pilgrims, frost fairs, and winters in the 1620s
We have all heard the story of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620 and the harsh conditions endured during the winter. The following year,...
Frost on green grass
What’s the difference between a frost and a freeze?
We’re nearing that time of year when we’ll start to get warnings about the potential for a frost or freeze taking place. Is there really a difference...
a weather map of a hurricane
Why hurricanes strike around Labor Day weekend
Labor Day weekend is usually considered the last holiday of summer. It’s one last chance to gather with friends and family for a cookout, games, or...
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Meet the Author

Duane Friend is the Illinois Master Naturalist Coordinator and Climate Specialist with University of Illinois Extension, serving the organization in many roles since 1993. Duane provides information and educational programs to adult and youth audiences in the areas of soil quality, weather and climate, energy conservation, and disaster preparedness. These programs provide practical solutions for families, farms, and communities. He assists families in creating a household emergency plan, farmers with the implementation of soil management and conservation practices, and local government officials and business owners with energy conservation techniques.

Duane Friend

Duane Friend

State Master Naturalist Coordinator and Climate Change Specialist
Keywords
Urban Gardening
Energy
Environment
Master Naturalist
Ponds
PSEP Training
Small Farms
Weather
Climate
friend@illinois.edu
(217) 243-7424