Did you know that tallgrass prairie is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world with less than one percent of virgin, untilled prairie left? Or that we have some of the best remaining swathes of prairie right here in Pope County, MN? On the rolling hills at Glacial Lakes State Park, nearly […]
2017 BioBlitz brought 150 to the Tallgrass Prairie Read More »
On Wednesday, April 19, 2017, more than thirty members of CURE (Clean Up the River Environment) and the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) boarded a bus heading to the State Capitol from southwest MN to take part in Water Action Day.  Rural Minnesota was well represented, as members boarded the bus from Clarkfield, Appleton, Olivia, Montevideo, Marshall,
Water Action Day at the State Capitol Read More »
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 »
On Thursday, Oct. 6 a campaign that CURE has worked on for five years nearly came to a close.  CURE staff joined partners from Sierra Club, Fresh Energy, MPIRG, and Climate Generation to watch the final Public Utilities Commission proceedings over Xcel Energy’s 2016-2030 Resource Plan.  A plan which would close the Sherburne County Generating
CURE joins allies to celebrate Sherco closure Read More »
Earlier this summer CURE co-sponsored the Minnesota stop of the Keep Hives Alive Tour at Moonstone Farm in Montevideo. Â During the stop Minnesota beekeeper James Cook shared with us the risks posed to pollinators (both native and commercial) and food systems as a whole. Â The tour took 2 million dead bees to the Environmental Protection
Governor Dayton takes action to protect bees and other pollinators Read More »
CURE members and constituents are encouraged to provide input and feedback regarding any and all concerns that they have with the Chippewa River Watershed. Â This is an opportunity for a public voice to be heard. The Chippewa River Watershed stands out as a prime example of surface water pollution issues in greater Minnesota, and how
MPCA seeks public comment on Chippewa Watershed Read More »
On Thursday, August 18th Governor Dayton kicked off a Year of Water Action at Itasca State Park, near the headwaters of the Mississippi River.  For the next twelve months the Governor will use his platform to educate Minnesotans on the issues facing water in our state and empower them to take action.  “We have
Governor Dayton kicks off Year of Water Action Read More »
On a Monday evening, 10 Millennials and a Baby Boomer gathered in a church basement. It sounds like a bad joke, but the refurbished church basement was home to CURE staff Sarina Otaibi, and the Millennials and Baby Boomer had come together for a pretty serious focus group on transitional leadership and social change. Post by Sarina Otaibi & Ariel Herrod.
CURE Engages the Next Generation of Rural Leaders Read More »
As someone who has always been interested in politics and policy, and as someone who holds the late Senator Paul Wellstone in high regard, I had been waiting for years to have the opportunity to attend Camp Wellstone. So, when CURE offered the students of MPIRG at the University of Minnesota, Morris and me a chance to attend the training, I could barely contain my excitement. Blog post by Erik Hatlestad, MPIRG Morris Campus Organizer.
Western Minnesota Leadership Done the Wellstone Way Read More »
PolyMet Mining Corp. has offered Minnesota a Faustian bargain in the form of a sulfide mine in the Superior National Forest. The company has promised 20 years of jobs, economic stimulus, and the revival of the mining economy of Northern Minnesota through the extraction of copper, nickel, and other metals. An open-pit mine and prosperity. Oh, and 500 years of toxic waste clean-up. By Ariel Herrod at CURE with support from Erik Hatlestad at MPIRG.
Sulfide Mining: Where will it take us? 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!
