What do you get when curiosity of nature meets passion for the outdoors?

While learning how to identify grasses and forbs, participants used the revolay survey method estimate the amount of a species in a geographical area.
While learning how to identify grasses and forbs, participants used the Releve Survey method estimate the amount of a species in a geographical area.

The CURE Events & Adventures Program is all about connecting people with the outdoors, and this spring we partnered with the Minnesota Master Naturalist program and hosted our first Prairie & Potholes Biome training. For eleven weeks, sixteen people from all over southwestern Minnesota gathered to learn about the ecology, geology, and history of the Prairie & Potholes Biome (region) of southwestern Minnesota.

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Rebecca White and Mike Murray reference invertebrates discovered in class.

The mission of the Minnesota Master Naturalist (MMN) program is to promote awareness, understanding, and stewardship of Minnesota’s natural environment by developing a corps of well-informed citizens dedicated to conservation, education, and service within their communities. The MMN program is a joint effort of the University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR).

Dr. Carrie Jennings from the MN DNR shares with us her knowledge about the distribution of glacial sediment, the history of landscape and river evolution in the Minnesota River Valley. In this photo, she is talking about the impact of the Glacial River Warren and the impact on rock formations.
Dr. Carrie Jennings from the MN DNR shares with us her knowledge about the distribution of glacial sediment, the history of landscape and river evolution in the Minnesota River Valley. In this photo, she is talking about the impact of the Glacial River Warren and the impact on rock formations.

In addition to meeting every Tuesday evening from 6 to 8:30 pm, there were two field days. The first field day was led by Dr. Carrie Jennings, a glacial geologist with the MN DNR. She shared her knowledge of the distribution of glacial sediment in Minnesota as well as the history of landscape and river evolution as it relates to the Minnesota River Valley. The day included stops at the Blue Devil Scientific and Natural Area, Upper Sioux Agency State Park, and the Swede’s Forest Scientific and Natural Area. The second field day was out on the Chippewa Prairie on a blustery spring day with the winds howling, but all of these students of nature were out learning about the impact of patch burn-grazing management of the prairie with MN DNR ecologist Fred Harris.

MN DNR Plant Ecologist battling the wind and rain to share his passion for the Chippewa Prairie.
MN DNR Plant Ecologist battling the wind and rain to share his passion for the Chippewa Prairie.

For the past 10 years, the MMN program has trained volunteers all across the state and in turn, these MMN volunteers have led many public programs, lent a helping hand in communities, county and state parks to help with the conservation of our precious natural resources. “My favorite thing about my job is getting to know all the people who are passionate about natural resources (in their own way) across the state,” said Amy Rager, Program Director.

After 40 hours of instruction, 2 field days and a capstone project – these sixteen graduates of the Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer program will begin applying much of what was learned out in their own communities. As trained docents of our natural surroundings, your path may cross their path at a local State Park, County Park or even possibly leading a CURE Events & Adventure.

Discovering the wonders of Minnesota’s oldest cottonwood tree located near Lac qui Parle State Park.
Discovering the wonders of Minnesota’s oldest cottonwood tree located near Lac qui Parle State Park.

This course was led by MN Master Naturalist instructor, Kylene Olson, and assisted by the director of the MN Master Naturalist program, Amy Rager. The class was very successful and CURE looks to host another class in 2016.

Jack in the Pulpit discovered at Lac qui Parle State Park.
Jack in the Pulpit discovered at Lac qui Parle State Park.
Highlight from the foraged meal was pickled ramps.
Highlight from the foraged meal was pickled ramps.
As part of their capstone project, several participants chose to present a foraged meal. They hunted, gathered, sought out recipes, and prepared the meal. Some of the items served were – Minnesota catfish, dandelion fritters, nettle pesto, greens and a lotus root upside down cake.
As part of their capstone project, several participants chose to present a foraged meal. They hunted, gathered, sought out recipes, and prepared the meal. Some of the items served were – Minnesota catfish, dandelion fritters, nettle pesto, greens and a lotus root upside down cake.

For more information about the Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer program, please visit www.minnesotamasternaturalist.org

For upcoming CURE Events & Adventures scheduled in 2015, visit the CURE Events & Adventures Facebook page.

Blog post and photos by Peg Furshong, CURE’s Events and Adventures Coordinator.

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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!