CURE

Groundwater 101: What’s Geology Got to Do With It?

Land & Water

Groundwater is a big deal. That much is clear. When 75% of Minnesotans turn on the tap, groundwater comes out. About 30% of the world’s freshwater is groundwater. And plentiful, clean water is a key component of Minnesotan identity, even as lake levels drop, wells run dry, and seasonal floods cost the state millions of dollars. Post by Ariel Herrod, Watershed Sustainability Program Coordinator.

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Big Stone State Park Collage

Minnesota’s State Parks – An Excellent Opportunity to Explore the Outdoors

Land & Water

As summer approaches and we all begin looking for ways to get outside, CURE, of course, offers many opportunities through our Events and Adventures Program. But we would be remiss in not mentioning our State Parks, a branch of the DNR that has been specializing in outdoor experiences since the founding of Itasca State Park in

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What’s Great About a World Café?

CURE News

CURE is planning a World Café as an integral part of our event “Don’t Worry; We’ve Got This” – A Gathering of Rising Leaders on Friday, May 2. We want to discuss the theme of leadership, especially in a rural context, and learn what beginning leaders need to become full-fledged community powerhouses. Post by Ariel Herrod, Watershed Sustainability Program Coordinator.

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Western Minnesota Leadership Done the Wellstone Way

CURE News

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.

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Sulfide Mining: Where will it take us?

CURE News

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.

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MCAD Concludes Upper MN River Valley Greater Minnesota Arts Initiative’s 2013 Project

CURE News

In October, individuals from the area were invited to attend a weekend-long ‘Activate Vacant Space Workshop’. Local community members collaborated with students from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and design professionals to brainstorm ideas for two specific projects. By Ariel Herrod, CURE Program Assistant.

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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!