Building Power

CURE builds power to win on our issues through grassroots organizing in rural communities and strong coalitions statewide and nationally. We work directly with communities impacted by extractive industry or environmental injustice to amplify their voices and unite efforts across the state. Working with partners, we build alliances guided by bold ideas and grounded in the needs of our rural constituency. 

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Grassroots Organizing

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Partnerships & Coalition Building

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School kids with signs at the Public Utilities Commission

Grassroots Organizing

When Summit Carbon Solutions came to town, CURE organized on the ground with landowners opposed to the company’s carbon pipeline project, working together to make sure grassroots voices were heard by Minnesota regulators. We led on stopping the Big Stone II coal power plant through empowering community members to take action together. Our legacy of grassroots wins stretches throughout our organizational history and continues to this day. Based in rural Minnesota, we know that our constituents don’t need someone to tell them what to do – they need a partner committed to working together and building trust. Through grassroots work, we’re building new rural power that serves as a counterweight to outside corporate control that damages our communities, our environment, and our livelihoods.  

People Gathered on the State Capitol Steps

Partnerships & Coalition Building

We’re more powerful when we work together. CURE partners with local and national organizations on many of our priority issues. We advocate for climate justice and Indigenous rights at the Minnesota Legislature through the Rise + Repair Coalition, coordinate with environmental allies at the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, and work with other place-based organizations in the Rural Power Coalition to elevated rural electric cooperatives in the renewable energy transition. We draw on our national networks to fight CO2 pipelines alongside partners across the country and support frontline communities defending themselves from polluting industries. At the heart of many of CURE’s campaigns are strong organizational partnerships. 
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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!