Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center Opens Water/Ways Exhibit

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David O’Fallon (left) of the Minnesota Humanities Center and Dave Pederson (right) of Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center welcome attendees to the exhibit.

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 led by the Minnesota Humanities Center with support from the Minnesota Historical Society, MPCA, DNR, MDH, the Minnesota section of the American Water Works Association.  The exhibit is taking place in six different communities in Greater Minnesota, and New London-Spicer was selected as a location.  

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The exhibit brings attention to importance of water to both human life and ecosystems, through telling addressing  communities’ relationships and responsibilities to water. The displays not only communicate the science of water pollution, but also shares local stories  about personal connections to water that embraces the area.  CURE members Richard Handeen and Audrey Arner, as well as Carolyn Lange Hatlestad, and John White each made an appearance in the exhibit. 

The Grand Opening, kicks off a Summer packed with programming at the Environmental Learning Center, which includes a concert by the Okee Dokee Brothers on July 2nd.

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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!