The Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, Minnesota—our state’s only private prison—has been empty since 2010. Now, CoreCivic and ICE are moving to reopen it as an immigrant detention center, part of a nationwide push to dramatically expand detention. This plan is out of step with Minnesota values and threatens to turn a rural community into a hub for cruelty and abuse. Together, we are organizing to say no to ICE detention and yes to a more welcoming, humane future.
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!