Natural & Working Lands

Natural and working lands are very important in rural Minnesota. They shape the landscape, help the economy, and are part of the area’s identity. These lands affect the air we breathe and the water we drink. They also connect us deeply to this place. We can manage these lands to help farmers, businesses, and people who love the outdoors. This can be done while respecting Minnesota’s long history of taking care of nature. CURE works with communities to protect both people and places, ensuring rural economies and landscapes can thrive for generations to come. 

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Natural Lands

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Working Lands

Natural & Working Lands Resources

Maple Saplings in a Wooded Area
Blog: For the Trees
CURE Letter to Forest Planner
Forest Plan Amendment of Management Direction for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
People Not Polluters
DNR violates federal wildlife management rules and favors timber industry, risks losing funding
CURE letter to Martha Williams, Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, regarding Minnesota DNR violations of federal law and failure to comply with NEPA
CURE letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, regarding Minnesota DNR violations
People Not Polluters
MPCA advocates for violating the state’s 100% carbon free electricity law
Bobolink perched on a prairie plant

Natural Lands

CURE wants public lands to be managed in a way that helps everyone. Healthy natural lands can trap greenhouse gases, provide habitat for Minnesota’s iconic wildlife, and support fun outdoor activities. We advocate for protecting these lands from harmful practices, such as the over-harvesting of timber that threatens wildlife protected by law. We push back against industrialization that shuts out sustainable, renewable practices and harms the ecosystem. We believe public lands can and should serve the public while supporting a healthy environment.

Woman working in an agricultural field

Working Lands

Working lands make up a big part of rural Minnesota’s economy and landscapes. From farming to forestry, the way we manage them impacts our water, health, ecosystems, and the climate—linking private land decisions directly to the well-being of our communities. At CURE, we work with landowners and communities to protect both people and the environment. We support land use that avoids destructive extraction, respects nature’s limits, and promotes a healthy, sustainable future for everyone. 

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Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

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Kelsey Olson (she/her) joined CURE in 2025 as its Director of Environmental Stewardship. As a skilled environmental naturalist, Kelsey’s work focuses broadly on environmental education and advocacy with a keen focus on rural land use and how that use impacts our environment and climate. Working Lands, how land is used to support agriculture and forestry, is a key focus of her work. She brings 15 years’ experience in public communication, environmental education, and rural community engagement – strong communication strategies are core in her work. This includes two terms of service with AmeriCorps in the VISTA program in Oregon and Maryland and a nearly 10-year career as a naturalist followed. She recently worked on communications and marketing for rural economic development.

Kelsey lives in New London, MN, with her young children, husband, dog, and two cats. They enjoy spending time together outside and finding small treasures in nature. Visits to Minneapolis often include visits to one of their favorite historical museums, the Minnesota Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, whether this is canning local produce, making kombucha, or other treats!