Western Minnesota Leadership Done the Wellstone Way

CURE News

As someone who has always been interested in politics and policy, and as someone who holds the late Senator Paul Wellstone in high regard, I had been waiting for years to have the opportunity to attend Camp Wellstone. So, when CURE offered the students of MPIRG at the University of Minnesota, Morris and me a chance to attend the training, I could barely contain my excitement. Blog post by Erik Hatlestad, MPIRG Morris Campus Organizer.

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Sulfide Mining: Where will it take us?

CURE News

PolyMet Mining Corp. has offered Minnesota a Faustian bargain in the form of a sulfide mine in the Superior National Forest. The company has promised 20 years of jobs, economic stimulus, and the revival of the mining economy of Northern Minnesota through the extraction of copper, nickel, and other metals. An open-pit mine and prosperity. Oh, and 500 years of toxic waste clean-up. By Ariel Herrod at CURE with support from Erik Hatlestad at MPIRG.

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MCAD Concludes Upper MN River Valley Greater Minnesota Arts Initiative’s 2013 Project

CURE News

In October, individuals from the area were invited to attend a weekend-long ‘Activate Vacant Space Workshop’. Local community members collaborated with students from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and design professionals to brainstorm ideas for two specific projects. By Ariel Herrod, CURE Program Assistant.

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Center for Earth Spirituality faces down Climate Change: Ninneman keynote speaker

Energy & Innovation

We need to move past disbelief, apathy, and the fears holding back ecological balance and recognize climate change for the moral issue that it is.  We as individuals are connected with all creation on Earth. This message brought a capacity crowd to Good Counsel Hill in Mankato on Saturday, November 9, for the Eighth Annual

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Bud Light is the Beverage of Choice for Drivers between Granite Falls & Montevideo

Land & Water

By Ariel Herrod, CURE Program Assistant A sunny day with a high of 55. I don’t know if any of you remember the weather this past Wednesday, November 15, but it was beautiful.  After the bone-chilling, heart-breaking, brassica-killing frost of Sunday night, the earth saw fit to grant us a sunny day with a high

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Pezihutazizi Oyate (Yellow Medicine Nation) ~Upper Sioux Community Youth Outing on Wakpa Mnisota (Minnesota River)

CURE News

6 high-school-aged youth and 4 adults enjoyed a beautiful autumn day, while canoeing and kayaking on the Minnesota River this October. Several of the participants were in a kayak or canoe for the first time, and many on the river for the first time.

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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!