Field Notes

MN Leg Kicking the Can 👎 + Crippling the Forest Service 🌲 + Earth Day 🌎

Why Data Center Deals Shouldn’t Be Secret

MN Legislature “Kicking the Can” on Data Center Action 👎

The 2026 legislative session ends May 18. CURE and partners have been pushing for a robust framework for hyperscale data centers—so Minnesotans get the final say on if these facilities are approved, where they are built, and how they impact water, power bills, and communities. While anything can happen in the waning weeks of session, prospects for putting the needs of Minnesotans before the needs of the world’s wealthiest corporations aren’t looking good. Read more.

Only You Can Prevent the U.S. Forest Service Reorganization Dumpster Fire 🌲

The USDA rolled out a “reorganization” plan that would break up the U.S. Forest Service, shut down research labs, and move its headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Utah. That’s bad news for Minnesota. Good union jobs could be cut as rural research labs and world‑class research at places like the Marcell Experimental Forest near Grand Rapids would be diminished.

Weaker science means weaker protections for forests and water, less insight into climate impacts, and more industry influence over decision-making. Congress can stop this—ACT NOW. 

CURE celebrates Earth Day across Minnesota! 🌎 👋 

Earth Week had CURE on the road listening and in conversation, sharing info in presentations and rallies, and standing up for policies that make Minnesota stronger. Huge thanks to everyone who invited us out and stopped to talk. At CURE, every day is Earth Day. 

CURE Staff at MN Capitol

CURE staff at the MN State Capitol Earth Day Rally: Sara Wolff, Clovis Curl, Sarah Mooradian, Eugene Strowbridge & Andy Pearson

CURE Table at Sea of Grass Reading at UMM

“Sea of Grass” Author Reading Event at the University of Minnesota Morris (Peg Furshong & Duane Ninneman)

Rise + Repair Earth Day Rally at the MN Capitol

Data Center Moratorium Now! Public Hearing as part of the Rise + Repair Earth Day Rally at the Capitol  

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Earth Week Keynote Speaker

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Earth Week–Keynote and Discussion Panel: Environmental and Societal Impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Centers (Sarah Mooradian) 

📷: Kris Akin

Duluth Power Dialog Event

Duluth Power Dialog 2026: Citizens Guiding Our City Power (Hudson Kingston & Maggie Schuppert)

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⚠️ Action Alert: Pause Hyperscale Data Centers in MN

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Commit to Caucus with CURE

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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 American Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, canning local produce, and making kombucha.