Transportation ~ Education ~ Stewardship | a social mission
Paddle Taxi’s social mission is to directly improve the public’s access to, awareness of and experience on the Mississippi River National Recreation Area.
As a not-for-profit social enterprise, Paddle Taxi (LLC) is currently accomplishing this social mission through (1) a free, seasonal shuttle service for paddlers and their watercraft on the Mississippi River, (2) education for the public regarding the state of the river and best practices for river sustainability and safety, and (3) promoting active stewardship on the Mississippi River by cleaning and maintaining access points, uniting with and advocating for engagement with social justice, river-focused organizations.
Austin Aho
"Once I experienced the Mississippi River as a volunteer with Wilderness Inquiry, I knew that this National Park and Mighty River was a natural treasure I wanted to spend my life sharing with others. Paddle Taxi became a simple solution to a complex problem and I am excited by the enthusiasm and support we've received so far."
Solving Problems
Working with our Twin Cities partners, Stand Up MN and Friends of the Mississippi River, we have discovered common barriers to public engagement with the river are logistical planning and stigma of poor water quality.
Exploring the Mississippi River has never been so easy, safe and affordable. Paddle Taxi is exactly what every paddler, and national park, deserves.
More than a shuttle
Paddle Taxi currently provides access to one of the greatest natural resources and preserved areas in the United States, the Mississippi River. We work from a community level, partnering with established organizations, to identify barriers, stigma and misinformation about the state of the river. This scalable model, supported by private and public sponsors, begins to change public perceptions through direct experience and is sustained by empowering healthy partnerships between public and river-focused organizations. This social engagement service is designed to expand into regional and national waterways.