St. Louis River Quest

ABOUT US

Students are enrolled in the St. Louis River Quest each year to explore the Duluth-Superior estuary and learn about the waterfront industries and the people who work there.

In 1993, a pivotal conversation between Kurt Soderberg, at-the-time Executive Director of the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) and John Goldfine, whose family owned/operated Vista Fleet and Southern Belle Riverboat in Chattanooga, Tenn, led to the idea of getting kids from the region to see how important the river is to this region.
May 1993, nearly 20 waterfront-related industries including the Duluth Seaway Port Authority sponsored what would become St. Louis River Quest. Ray Skelton, Port Authority Special Projects/Environmental and Government Relations Director was key in shepherding the program until his death in 2006.
Almost 800 sixth graders from Duluth, Hermantown, Proctor and Superior participated in the inaugural excursions onboard the two Vista Fleet boats.
River Quest champion Ray Skelton's memory lives on in an annual Captain Ray Skelton River Quest Writing Contest. Begun in 2008, student essays and poems highlight lessons learned during their River Quest experience.

Our
HISTORY

River Quest tours gave us the chance to show the science behind cleaning up contamination and keeping the river clean for future generations.

Kurt Soderberg

Former Exec. Director, WLSSD

Duluth-Superior harbor had a great story to tell about the commercial shipping industry — that millions of tons of coal, iron ore, limestone, grain and other commodities moved in and out of this port each year. We wanted students to know where those items were coming from and where they were headed, why the 1,000-foot ore carriers could not go through the St. Lawrence Seaway, and how the Soo Locks worked.

Jerry Fryberger

Hallett Dock Company

River Quest provides students with hands-on learning experiences that enhance awareness and understanding of the St. Louis River ecosystem and interrelated commercial, industrial and recreational activities.

Our
MISSION

2020-2021

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Suzanne Blank

Attorney, Ledin, Olson & Cockerham S.C.
James Farkas

President and COO Fraser Industries (Retired)
Amy Herstad-Einbu

Technical Sales, Altec Industries Inc.
Jayson Hron, Secretary

Dir. Communications & Marketing, Duluth Seaway Port Authority
Ryan Ihrke

Environmental Programs, Western Lake Superior Sanitary District

Doug Jensen

Extension Assistant Professor, Minnesota Sea Grant
Collin Krochalk, Program Coordinator

Environmental Field Tech, Barr Engineering
Sarah Lerohl, President

Community Member
Aaron Salmela, Liason

Science & Curriculum Coordinator, ISD 709
Marquise Slay

Regional Sales Manager, Oliver Companies
Karen Sunderman

Communications, Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation
Claire Vatalaro

Minnesota Power/Allete
Amy Wolcott, Treasurer

Senior Environment Permitting Specialist, Barr Engineering

RIVER QUEST

Video

Hop aboard the Vista Star with Ellie and Michael in this 4 1/2 minute video introducing the day; although recorded in 2012, it still captures the spirit of the event.