Why did you choose to serve on the CURE Board?
I am drawn to CURE by its mission and vision because I am passionate about conserving high-quality habitat for Minnesota’s native species and about fostering a harmonious relationship between people and the land. I also love CURE’s dual approach: it provides terrific outdoor experiences that help people develop deep attachment to the water and the land, and it helps them engage with the political process to promote the protection of these resources.
Tell us about your vocation/profession.
I am a botanist and former associate professor of biology at the University of Minnesota, Morris. At UMM I taught a number of undergraduate courses including Ecology, Plant Systematics, Evolution of Biodiversity, and a freshman seminar called Why We Eat What We Eat. My research area is the management and restoration of native prairie communities; I am especially interested in working with farmers who employ prairie restoration as part of a working lands approach. Additionally, I am the chair of the City of Morris Planning Commission, a long-time volunteer at Pomme de Terre Foods in Morris, and a member of the Horticulture Advisory Committee of the West Central Research and Outreach Center.
Fun Fact(s):
I am an adventuresome and accomplished cook, with a particular interest in ethnic and vegetarian cuisines. I love gardening and am an avid birdwatcher. I also love to travel and have enjoyed spending time in natural areas at the equator, high above the Arctic Circle, and many places in between.
Margaret Kuchenreuther was elected to the CURE Board of Directors in 2014.