Minnesotans just like you will gather at libraries, schools, town halls, etc, for the biennial process of precinct caucuses. Precinct caucuses are meetings run by Minnesota’s major and minor political parties. The caucus is the first in a series of meetings where parties may endorse candidates, select delegates for the County/Senate District Conventions, and set […]
Time for the Caucuses Read More »
In November 2021, the bipartisan infrastructure legislation became law. Soon funds will be flowing into Minnesota communities making substantial investments into our built infrastructure and growing rural prosperity. This law makes real progress towards not leaving rural places behind in the 21st century by investing in our roads and bridges, water infrastructure, EV charging, energy-efficient
Investing in Rural Minnesota through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Read More »
To the leaders of Great River Energy, Many people throughout Minnesota, and across the country, celebrated Great River Energy’s move in 2020 to retire Coal Creek Station and make a groundbreaking transition to clean energy. That’s why so many member-owners and member-owner advocates were so disappointed when GRE unexpectedly changed course. Minnesota has a deep
Letter to GRE: Stop the sale of Coal Creek Station Read More »
This has been another year that seems to challenge all of us daily. On a global and national level, it often seems like it’s one thing after another—and that is on top of worrying about kitchen table issues that keep us awake at night. We are all fatigued from enduring yet another COVID year. It
Practice Gratitude. Work for Change. Read More »
After three long years of applying for grants, fundraising, and meeting with contractors and engineers, the day is finally here. The CURE building renovation has begun. During the first week of May, we got a new deck and stairs out the back of the building, and in week two, the work on the front of
CURE Building Remodel & Facade Rehabilitation Read More »
Rural Minnesota wins with Build Back Better The Build Back Better Act passed in the U.S. House on Friday morning, a big achievement to be noted, and this legislation still has a journey through the Senate. The true celebration will be when this investment reaches the homes and lives of people across America. Rural Minnesotan
Build Back Better Act passed by U.S. House Read More »
On October 4, 2021, the Minnesota Court of Appeals delivered a significant win for public waters across the state as well as Renville County’s last free-flowing stream, ruling that environmental review of a ditch proposal to channelize Limbo Creek is required because Limbo Creek is a “public water” entitled to protection. The precedential opinion extends
Minnesota Appeals Court Rules Limbo Creek a Public Water Read More »
Drilling fluid spill in the Mississippi River. Photo by Nancy Beaulieu Who is watching out for our public waters? Who is holding Enbridge accountable? As of August 10, 2021, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) reports that 63% of northern Minnesota’s horizontal directional drilling locations have polluted our public waters. In a public statement, MPCA
Eyes on Line 3 and Enbridge Read More »
Today, Minnesota officially becomes the 15th Clean Car state in the nation, in addition to the District of Columbia, and the first one in the Midwest. This announcement comes as the clean car standards have been filed with the state register concluding the end of the rulemaking process. This rule tightens tailpipe emissions standards for
Minnesota officially becomes the First Clean Car State in the Midwest Read More »
by Troy Goodnough While billionaires are blasting off into outer space to find ways to appreciate Mother Earth and see it from a new perspective — organizations, like CURE are closer to the ground and down-to-earth. On Saturday, July 17, CURE, Land Stewardship Project, and Minnesota Master Naturalists hosted a Tallgrass Prairie BioBlitz at the
Minnesota Freshwater Mussels at the 2021 BioBlitz! 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!
