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 »
Minnesotans across the state are celebrating after an Administrative Law Judge ruled on Friday, May 7, that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) Clean Cars Minnesota proposal met the requirements of the rulemaking process, clearing the way for Minnesota to become the nation’s 15th clean car state and the first in the Midwest. Minnesota Clean
Congratulations Minnesota! Clean Cars MN passes final regulatory hurdle Read More »
CURE along with the Office of Sustainability at the University of Minnesota, Morris, and Stevens County Soil & Water Conservation District in cooperation with the Land Stewardship Project as part of our work as a We Are Water West Central Minnesota team — are hosting webinar series. Our shared goal is to amplify the stories
Sharing Stories: Growing Relationships with the Land — Webinar Series Read More »
What concerns do you have about water quality in Minnesota? Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is in a triennial review of these standards and they are seeking your input! Comments can be sent by email to [email protected]. From the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: The MPCA is conducting a triennial standards review (TSR) to hear from
What Minnesota water quality standards need changes or additions? Read More »
Shortly after the pandemic struck in 2020, CURE led a national effort to call for rural electric cooperatives to lead in the crisis. The letter which was signed by 28 organizations called for utility shutoff moratoriums, and several other actions co-ops could take to protect their members and their communities. The letter was sent to
CURE Charts Course to Clean Cooperatives Read More »
What makes small towns special are the people in them who make things happen. You can count on those people to get people involved, know the right person to ask for help, and are motivated by the good they do for others. Dixie Tilden has been that person at CURE (Clean Up the River Environment),
Dixie Tilden, CURE’s long-time office manager retires after 20 years! 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!
