Minnesota Master Naturalists Gather on the Prairie

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There really isn’t anything better than to spend a week engrossed with like minded “Prairie & Pothole” enthusiasts.  June 13 – 17 just over 20 people from places like Rochester, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Brookings, Sioux Falls and points inbetween came to Lac qui Parle State Park for the Minnesota Master Naturalist (MMN) Prairies and Potholes Biome Volunteer week long training.

The week was led by instructors Kylene Olson (Watson) and Peg Furshong (Sacred Heart) with the support of Amy Rager (Montevideo), Director of the Minnesota Master Naturalists program.

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Minnesota has three primary biomes (ecological regions) and the training is generally offered over eleven weeks with two weekend field trips. This training was an immersion of five full days with evening activities.  Participants learned about all aspects of the prairie from mammals to birds, insects to reptiles as well as various plants, geology,soils etc.

Special presenters included Terri Dinesen and Christine Kleven from Lac qui Parle State Park, Joseph Hauger who presented on geology, Luwaina Al-Otaibi from the Chippewa River Watershed Project,  Amy Rager from the University of Minnesota Extension Office and Master Naturalist Program and Duane Ninneman from CURE.

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In addition to a trip to the Chippewa Prairie, the group attended the Hives Alive Tour at Moonstone Farm and a visit to an archeological dig in Chippewa County.

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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!