1. Introduction

This Privacy Notice for Vital Earth Network ("we," "us," or "our") describes how and why we might access, collect, store, use, and/or share ("process") your personal information when you use our services ("Services"), including when you:

• Visit our website at https://www.vitalearthnetwork.org
• Engage with us in other related ways, including any marketing or events

If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Services. For questions, contact us at [email protected].

2. How We Process Your Information

We process the personal information you provide in order to:

• Respond to inquiries and provide support
• Manage donations, volunteer sign-ups, and transactions
• Analyze usage trends and improve our Services
• Comply with legal obligations and maintain security

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information.

3. Information We Collect

Personal information you disclose:

• Names
• Email addresses
• Phone numbers
• Contact preferences
• Payment data (handled directly by the World Wildlife Fund – see WWF Privacy)

Information automatically collected

We automatically collect information such as IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, and usage data to maintain security and site functionality.

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We do not use Google Analytics or other third-party tracking scripts. However, our website is hosted via GitHub Pages and served through Cloudflare. Cloudflare may use minimal technical cookies for security and caching purposes (e.g., to protect against bots or DDoS attacks). These cookies do not track personal activity for marketing purposes.

No additional tracking or profiling occurs. By using the site, you consent to these functional cookies necessary for site operation.

5. Donations and Payments

Any donations made through our site are processed through third-party platforms respective to our project like the World Wildlife Fund. Vital Earth Network does not store or handle payment information directly. Please review the respective platform’s privacy and security policies. For donation refunds, see our Refund Policy.

6. Retention of Information

We keep your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Notice, unless retention is required by law. When information is no longer needed, it will be securely deleted or anonymized.

7. Security of Your Information

We use reasonable organizational, technical, and administrative measures to protect your information. However, no system is 100% secure. Transmission of information over the internet is at your own risk.

8. Children / Age Restrictions

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If information from a child under 13 is discovered, it will be deleted. For teen volunteers (ages 13–17), parental or guardian consent is required prior to participation in volunteer activities.

9. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or limit the processing of your personal information. Contact us at [email protected] to exercise these rights.

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Notice periodically. Updated versions will be indicated by a revised date at the top of the page.

11. Contact Us

Vital Earth Network
Buffalo, NY, United States
Email: [email protected]