IMMEDIATE RELEASE             May 13, 2003

Duluth, Minn., U.S.A.—The 11th annual series of River Quest educational cruises for area sixth grade students has been set for Wednesday through Friday (May 14-16) aboard the harbor excursion vessel Vista Star.

St. Louis River Quest, created in 1993, is an educational program sponsored by more than 40 local public agencies, political subdivisions and industrial organizations concerned with use and preservation of the St. Louis River estuary. More than 6,400 students have participated in the program since its beginning.

The program is designed to instill environmental stewardship in area sixth graders while helping them understand industrial, commercial and recreational activities in the St. Louis Harbor.

This year there will be six half-day cruises held onboard the Vista Star accommodating 829 students. The participants will be from Grant, Great Lakes, Proctor, Northwestern, Lincoln, Lowell, Hermantown, Nettleton, Piedmont, North Shore and Central Middle schools.

“River Quest gives students hands-on lessons in water quality, soil conservation, pollution prevention, maritime commerce, boating safety, fish habitat and sewage treatment,” said Ray Skelton, chairman of River Quest and environmental and government affairs director for the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, lead sponsor of the program. Daily sessions will run 9 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. and noon through 2:30 p.m.
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CONTACT: Lisa Marciniak, Duluth Seaway Port Authority, 218-727-8525

NOTE TO EDITORS/INTERESTED PARTIES: The first learning station for the 9 a.m. session on Wednesday, May 14, will be held dockside at the Vista Fleet berth adjacent to the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center to accommodate guests and media.

More Press Releases, 2003