My name is Erik Hatlestad and I’m a Clean Up the River Environment (CURE) sustaining member, and on staff as the Energy Program Associate. I’ve always lived in Western Minnesota. I love it here. I love our communities and the landscapes that embrace us. Of all of the places in the world I could call home, […]
I Give to CURE…to Build Civic Leaders Across Rural Minnesota Read More »
CURE promotes Erik Hatlestad to Program Associate and welcomes former intern Katie Laughlin as Communications and Program Associate. In June of 2016, Erik Hatlestad became CURE’s new Program Associate continuing his work on policy issues surrounding renewable energy, rural electric cooperatives, and sustainable agriculture. As a lifelong resident of Western Minnesota, Erik has a deep
CURE Staff Updates Read More »
[easy-image-collage id=7099] From Paddling the Minnesota River to Pedaling from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River, Chen is biking to raise $5,000 for a new CURE program. Born in China, Jianhua Qian grew up in a time when people didn’t think about the environment and thus the air and rivers in and around Shanghai
CHEN pedals to raise money for new CURE program Read More »
On Saturday June 25th, Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center hosted the Grand Opening of the Water/Ways Exhibit. The free exhibit will be at Prairie Woods until August 7. Water/Ways is a traveling exhibit and community engagement project done by the Smithsonian Institution as part of their Museum on Main Street program. In Minnesota, Water/Ways is
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center Opens Water/Ways Exhibit Read More »
[easy-image-collage id=7030] On June 11, National Get Outdoors Day, CURE partnered with the MN DNR for year two of the “Paddle the Minnesota River in a Day” event. The Minnesota River Trail is 318 miles long beginning at the foot of Big Stone Lake and ending at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The
125 miles in the Upper Minnesota River paddled by CURE Members Read More »
Long time CURE member, Jianhua Qian “Chen” sets out to pedal from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River in Iowa to raise awareness and money for CURE. This ride will begin on Sunday, July 23 in Glenwood, IA by putting his rear bike tire in the Missouri River and end eight days later putting
Chen hits the road for CURE Read More »
On May 9th the Pesticide Action Network (PAN), an international network working to replace pesticide use with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives, released a report titled “Kids on the Frontline.” The report, which assesses dozens of independent studies, links pesticide exposure to health impacts such as leukemia, brain cancer, and developmental disorders in both
Pesticide Action Network Report: Kids on the Frontline Read More »
Our annual meeting is in the rear view mirror, and CURE is cruising into Year 25. On Saturday, April 23, CURE members came together to wrap up another successful year of grassroots advocacy. Members gave up a “top ten” weather day in Minnesota to review CURE’s business year, elect members to the Board of
Annual Meeting Ends 24th Year Read More »
Join us in welcoming Tan Liya to CURE! Ms. Tan comes to CURE as a part of a professional exchange funded by the US State Department and directly managed for CURE and Ms. Tan by the National Committee on US China Relations. After graduating from Beijing Sport University with a BA in journalism, Ms. Tan
CURE Welcomes Professional Fellow From China Read More »
The CURE Board of Directors has chosen Brian Wojtalewicz of Appleton, Minnesota, as this year’s RiverKeeper.
Brian Wojtalewicz to Be Honored at CURE’s 24th Annual Meeting Read More »
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!
