Groundwater 101: What’s Geology Got to Do With It?

Land & Water

Groundwater is a big deal. That much is clear. When 75% of Minnesotans turn on the tap, groundwater comes out. About 30% of the world’s freshwater is groundwater. And plentiful, clean water is a key component of Minnesotan identity, even as lake levels drop, wells run dry, and seasonal floods cost the state millions of dollars. Post by Ariel Herrod, Watershed Sustainability Program Coordinator.

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“Estar in el Prairie”

CURE News

Rural Minnesota is experiencing rapid change. As local economies shift from agriculture to services and industry, small communities are struggling to revive and reinvent their economies. Residents are aging, and young people are leaving for cities. The resulting rural decline and decay often dominate media and public opinion. Essay written by Natalie Hoidal and Jordan Wente, University of MN Morris Students.

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Big Stone State Park Collage

Minnesota’s State Parks – An Excellent Opportunity to Explore the Outdoors

Land & Water

As summer approaches and we all begin looking for ways to get outside, CURE, of course, offers many opportunities through our Events and Adventures Program. But we would be remiss in not mentioning our State Parks, a branch of the DNR that has been specializing in outdoor experiences since the founding of Itasca State Park in

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CURE’s Leadership Network Unveiled

CURE News

On the Friday of River History Weekend, CURE unveiled its Leadership Network at an event designed to explore the rural Millennial experience. About 50 people attended “Don’t Worry; We’ve Got This” – A Gathering of Rising Leaders, and after a panel of presentations, 36 participated in a World Cafe discussion about their experiences with leadership. Post by Ariel Herrod.

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What’s Great About a World Café?

CURE News

CURE is planning a World Café as an integral part of our event “Don’t Worry; We’ve Got This” – A Gathering of Rising Leaders on Friday, May 2. We want to discuss the theme of leadership, especially in a rural context, and learn what beginning leaders need to become full-fledged community powerhouses. Post by Ariel Herrod, Watershed Sustainability Program 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!