FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

The 20th-annual Saint Louis River Quest kicked off Monday in Duluth. More than a thousand Northland students will be getting a hands-on learning experience about the Saint Louis River ecosystem and how commercial, industrial, and recreational activities impact its health.

Experts said overall Northlanders have the environment on their minds.

"In general, people up in the Northwoods -- in Duluth -- from what I've seen. People are generally a lot more environmentally conscious," said Chad Pregracke, the founder of "Living Lands and Water."

Students are also learning half of the educational programs on the Vista Star, celebrating 20 years of the Saint Louis River Quest educational program.