Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Thank you for visiting the website of Roots & Shoots (“Roots & Shoots,” “we,” “our,” and “us”), the environmental and humanitarian youth program of the Jane Goodall Institute (“Roots & Shoots,” “we,” “our,” and “us”).  Your right to privacy is important to us all of us at the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI). We appreciate the trust you place in JGI when you share your personal information. We crafted our privacy policy with a deep respect for the trust you’ve placed in us.  Our privacy policy outlines how we collect, store and protect your information.

This Privacy Policy describes our privacy practices for information that we collect when you:

  • visit rootsandshoots.org and all associated subdomains or use any of the associated mobile applications (the “Websites”);
  • communicate with us in any way including when you call or email us, message us through the Websites or online chat, text or direct message us, connect with us on social media, post to our social media pages, tag us in your social media posts, or post to our chat boards or rooms (collectively, “Communications”);
  • make a donation, register for or attend an event sponsored by us, respond to our advertisements, participate in surveys, participate in contests or promotions, sign up to receive newsletters and other publications; participate in any activities featured on the Websites such as sending electronic postcards, submit or participate in a project, create a project profile, become a member of Root & Shoots, apply to or become a volunteer, apply or be hired as a contractor or employee, create an online account, or join our mailing list (“Participation Opportunities”).

The Websites, Communications, and Participation Opportunities are collectively referred to in this Privacy Policy as the “Services.”

Acceptance of this Policy
By using, accessing, or participating in the Services, you agree to the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy. If you do not accept this Privacy Policy, you are not authorized to use, access, or participate in the Services and must discontinue using, accessing or participating in the Services immediately.

Changes to this Policy
We may occasionally update this policy so that it evolves with the rapidly changing technologies used for engagement with our constituents like you. The most recent version of the Privacy Policy is reflected by the last updated date located at the bottom of this Privacy Policy. All updates and amendments are effective immediately upon notice to you, which we may give by any means, including, but not limited to, by posting a revised version of this Privacy Policy or other notice on the Websites. You should review this Privacy Policy often to stay informed of changes that may affect you.

Collection of Personal Information
We may collect or receive Personal Information about you when you use, access, or participate in our Services, including when you : 1) sign up to receive newsletters and other publications; 2) enter contests and participate in various activities featured on rootsandshoots.org, such as sending electronic postcards; 3) make donations to Roots & Shoots; 4) register to join Roots & Shoots; 5) create a project profile in our Project Database; 6) communicate with us by online chat, direct message, email, phone or text; or 7) leave comments or submit any content to our Websites.  Such information may include, without limitation: your name; date of birth; current and former home addresses; email addresses; telephone numbers; credit or debit card number or other payment method; billing information; photographic images and videos of you and other types of information that you choose to provide to us or that we may obtain about you.

We collect Personal Information, as well as other information that is not personal information, in a variety of ways:

Information You Provide Directly to Us

We will collect any Personal Information that you choose to provide to us such as your name, email address, and contact information.  We will collect that information through whatever submission method you used such as an email or web form.

If you submit any personal information relating to other people to us or to our service providers in connection with the Websites, you represent that you have the authority to do so and to permit us to use the information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Social Media

If you choose to participate in our sponsored social media activities, contests, promotions, or offerings, we may collect certain information from your social media account consistent with your settings within the social media service, such as location, check-ins, activities, interests, photos, status updates and friend list. The information you provide may be augmented by other information available on social media websites should you choose to connect your accounts with our Websites, and/or from information available in publicly accessible databases.

Your Browser or Device

We collect certain information through your browser or automatically through your device, such as your Media Access Control (MAC) address, computer type (Windows or Macintosh), screen resolution, operating system name and version, device manufacturer and model, language, and internet browser type you are using. We use this data to ensure that the Websites functions properly.

Collection Technology

We use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your activity, browser and device when you visit our Websites or websites where our ads appear. A cookie is a small data file that a website transfers to your computer’s hard drive. Cookies allow us to collect information such as browser type, time spent on the Websites, pages visited, referring URL, language preferences, and other aggregated traffic data. Similar technologies such as pixel tags, web beacons, clear GIFs, links in emails, JavaScript, device IDs assigned by Google or Apple, web storage, unique advertising identifiers and device ID technology also do the same thing. We use the term “Collection Technology” in this Privacy Policy refer to all technologies that collect information in this way.

We use the information collected through Collection Technology for security purposes, to facilitate navigation, to display data more effectively, to personalize your experience while using the Websites and to recognize your computer to assist your use of the Websites. We also gather statistical data to continually improve design and functionality, understand how the Websites are used and assist us with resolving questions. Collection Technology further allows us to select which advertisements or offers are most likely to appeal to you and display them while you are using the Websites or to send marketing emails. We also use Collection Technology to track responses to online advertisements and marketing emails. Our Websites do not use these services to track your browsing habits across other third-party websites on our behalf.

If you want to remove or block Collection Technology from your device at any time, you can update your browser settings (consult your browser’s “help” menu to learn how to remove or block cookies). If you choose to disable cookies you may not be able to fully experience the interactive features of our Services and your ability to navigate the Websites may be limited.. For more information on cookies and how to disable cookies visit www.allaboutcookies.org or https://www.usa.gov/optout_instructions.shtml.

Mobile Applications

Depending on your permissions, we may receive your Personal Information from your internet service provider (ISP) and mobile device providers. Learn more about your choices for mobile devices by visiting http://www.aboutads.info/appchoices. Each operating system, (iOS for Apple phones, Android for Android devices, and Windows for Microsoft devices) provides its own instructions on how to prevent the delivery of tailored in-application advertisements. You should view your device or system “Settings” to determine how you can opt out of use of your device ID for “cross-app” personalized advertising.

Other Sources

We may also acquire information about you from other sources such vendors and other third parties, that may share information as permitted in their privacy policies.

How We Protect Your Information
We store Personal Information and Other Information using reasonable physical, technical and administrative safeguards. Please be aware that the Websites and data storage are run on software, hardware and networks, any component of which may, from time to time, require maintenance or experience problems or breaches of security beyond our control. In addition, no transmission of data over the internet is guaranteed to be completely secure. It may be possible for third parties not under our control to intercept or access transmissions or private communications unlawfully. We cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us over the internet.

How We Use Your Information
We may use the information we collect for purposes of personalizing your experience on the Websites, to understand preferences of our visitors, administering, protecting and improving our Websites, to identify server problems, to compile aggregated statistics about usage of the Websites, to engage in marketing activities, to create or enhance our programs and content such as our online course videos and toolkits, and to administer and process donations.

For example, we may use your information:

  • To send you information about our mission, programs, action opportunities, campaigns or our partners;
  • To customize your web and email content based on your interests;
  • To send you requests to participate in events in your area and otherwise target content and communications to you;
  • To allow you to participate in sweepstakes, contests, and similar promotions and to administer these activities. Some of these activities have additional rules, which could contain additional information about how we use and disclose your Personal Information;
  • To send administrative information to you, such as information regarding the Websites and changes to tour terms, conditions and policies;
  • To include your photographs, videos or information in our course videos and the online toolkit that we provide for programs;
  • To process donations and send a letter confirming the donation and the tax exemption information; and
  • For our internal purposes, such as data analysis, audits, fraud monitoring and prevention, developing new products and services, enhancing, improving or modifying the Websites, identifying usage trends, determining the effectiveness of our promotional campaigns, creating our annual report, and operating and expanding our activities.

How We Share Your Information
We share the personal information you provide us with our service providers as necessary for the provision of services such as website hosting, data analysis, information technology, customer service, email delivery, auditing, and similar services. We do not undertake all of our processing activities ourselves, but we ensure that we have agreements with vendors and partners, and as part of that agreement the supplier agrees to respect the security of your information and to treat it in accordance with the law.

Personal Information will be intentionally disclosed to as follows:

Disclosures to Third-Party Service Providers

We may provide your Personal Information to third parties who perform work on our behalf or work with us including, without limitation, third-party service providers, agents, vendors, payment processors, consultants, and attorneys (“Service Providers”). These Service Providers may use your personal information to help us administer the Websites, business, and activities, including, but not limited to, assistance in administering and processing donations, detecting and preventing spam and fraud, maintaining databases, mapping group projects, creating promotional or program content or materials, complying with governmental or quasi-governmental reporting, providing customer service, or communicating with you about offers, events, promotions, sweepstakes or surveys. We may also share your personal information with Service Providers to provide general functions on our behalf relating to the Services. Generally, our Service Providers are contractually obligated to protect your personal information and may not otherwise use or share your personal information, except as may be required by law.

Disclosures Under Special Circumstances

We may provide your Personal Information in response to or to cooperate with law enforcement, government, quasi-governmental and public agency requests or reporting requirements, subpoenas, court orders or other legal requirements; to respond to your requests for customer service or other information; to establish or exercise our legal rights or defend against legal claims; to enforce our terms and conditions; or to protect the safety or property of Roots & Shoots or others. We also may provide information about you if we believe it is necessary to share information in order to investigate, prevent or take action regarding illegal activities, suspected fraud, situations involving potential threats to the physical safety of any person, or as otherwise required or permitted by law.

Major Transactions

We reserve the right to transfer any and all information, including, without limitation, personal information, to any of our affiliates or a third party or successor in the event of any reorganization, conversion, merger, sale, joint venture, assignment, transfer or disposition of all or any portion of our ownership interest, business or operations (including, without limitation, in connection with bankruptcy or any similar proceedings).

Public Portions of the Websites

When a group or project is created on the Websites, the information concerning the group, members or the group and the project (which may include Personal Information) will be visible on the Websites unless the user specifically makes the project or group private.  In addition, any Personal Information you share from our Websites on social media (including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,) boards, chat rooms, public question and answer forums, group home pages, or other public areas will be disclosed publicly by virtue of your posting and thus is not governed by this Privacy Policy and we do not control the use and disclosure of this information.

Other Purposes

We may use your information for other purposes specifically disclosed to you at the time we request your information. By providing your information, you consent to all disclosed uses.

Linked Websites

For your convenience, hyperlinks may be posted on the Websites that links to other websites (the “Linked Sites”).  Some Linked Sites are not under our control, such as facebook.com. We are not responsible for, and this Privacy Policy does not apply to, the privacy practices of any Linked Sites or of any companies that we do not own or control. Linked Sites may collect information in addition to that which we collect on the Websites. We do not endorse any of these Linked Sites, the services or products described or offered on such Linked Sites, or any of the content contained on the Linked Sites. We encourage you to seek out and read the privacy policy of each website that you visit to understand how the information that is collected about you is used and protected.

Social Media Platforms and Websites
Any information, communications, or material of any type or nature that you submit to any of our pages contained on a social media platform or website by email, posting, messaging, uploading, downloading, or otherwise (collectively, a “Submission”) is done at your own risk and without any expectation of privacy. We cannot control the actions of other users of a social media platform and we are therefore not responsible for any Submissions contained on a social media platform or website. By visiting any of our pages that are contained on any social media platform or website, you are representing and warranting to us that you have reviewed the applicable privacy policy and terms of use of such website or social media platform and that you will abide by all such provisions contained therein.

Sweepstakes, Promotions, Contests & Surveys
You may wish to participate in online polls, surveys, contests, sweepstakes and other promotions (“Optional Activities”) that we may offer through the Websites. Participation in these Optional Activities is completely voluntary and you may choose whether or not to disclose the information required to participate. Information requested may include personal contact information such as your name, address, date of birth, phone number, mobile phone number, email address, username, and/or similar information. We use the information you provide to administer the Optional Activities, contact you or the people you select about the Optional Activities and we may share this information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Analytics Services
The Websites may use analytics services provided by third parties, such as Google Analytics (“Data Analytics Providers”). These Data Analytics Providers use Collection Technology to collect and store information about the use of the Websites and the use of other websites, apps and online resources. You can read Google’s privacy policy, which applies to Google Analytics, at http://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/. You also can opt-out from being tracked by Google Analytics in the future by downloading and installing Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on for your current browser https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Collection, Use, and Disclosure of Personal Information from Children Under 16
Although Root & Shoots is a non-profit organization and does not operate a commercial website, we pay special attention to protecting the privacy of visitors under age 16. Roots & Shoots is committed to providing a safe, secure, and fun online experience for children who visit our Websites. Roots & Shoots welcomes children to learn more about our organization and, where appropriate, participate in polls and surveys, as well as submit project reports, community maps, project photographs, artwork, writings, and other submissions for posting on our Websites.

Children under 16 may also visit our Websites without registering or submitting any Personal Information. In that case, the only information we collect will be the log information our servers automatically record and that your browser sends whenever you visit a website. However, certain activities (such as creating or submitting a project in the project database) require that children under 16 join Roots & Shoots.

We ask visitors who indicate they are under age 13 when signing up to provide the name and e-mail address of a parent or legal guardian so we can send the parent/guardian an email with instructions to approve and complete their child’s free registration. We then ask the parent/guardian to provide the following information regarding their child: first name, last name, username, country, state/province/territory, and email address.  We also ask the parent/guardian to agree to the terms of service. Following this approval process, the child will be emailed with instructions to create a password to complete their registration with Roots & Shoots.

Roots & Shoots does not collect personal information from visitors known to be under 16 without prior parental consent.  Roots & Shoots also does not distribute such information to third parties absent parental consent. If you are a parent or guardian and believe Roots & Shoots may have inadvertently collected personal information from your child without your consent, please notify us immediately by sending an email to rootsandshoots@janegoodall.org.

Visiting the Website from Outside the United States

If you are visiting the Websites, or any part thereof, from outside of the United States of America, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored or processed in the United States, where our servers are located and our central database is operated. By using any portion of the Websites, you understand and consent to the transfer of your information to our facilities in the United States and those third parties with whom we share it as described in this Privacy Policy.

Cross-Border Transfer
The Websites are controlled and operated by JGI from the United States and are not intended to subject us to the laws or jurisdiction of any state, country or territory other than that of the United States. Your Personal Information may be stored and processed in any country where we have facilities or in which we engage service providers, and, by using the Websites, you consent to the transfer of information to countries outside of your country of residence, including the United States, which may have different data protection rules than those of your country.

We are part of a global network, and there are instances in which we may share your data within our Network. We may need to transfer your personal data to suppliers based in the US or other countries outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) to allow them to perform services on our behalf (such as when you sign up for a petition to help safeguard the natural environment). In doing so, your data may be stored or otherwise processed outside of the EEA. Whenever we transfer your personal data out of the EEA, we ensure the utmost protection is afforded to it.

Marketing Communications
If you no longer want to receive marketing-related emails from us on a going-forward basis, you may opt-out by contacting us by email at community@janegoodall.org or by following the instructions in any such email you receive from us. We will try to comply with your request as soon as reasonably practicable. If you opt out of receiving marketing emails from us, we may still send you important administrative messages, from which you cannot opt out.

Changes to this Privacy Policy
Our Privacy Policy may be revised from time to time. We display an effective date at the end of this Privacy Policy (“Last Revised Date”) for you to know when there has been a change. Accordingly, you should check the Privacy Policy on a regular basis for the most current privacy practices. Each time you access, use or browse the Websites, you signify your acceptance of the then current changes to the Privacy Policy.  Any changes in the Privacy Policy will take effect upon posting.

Questions?
We welcome your comments and questions on this policy.

If you have any questions, please email us at community@janegoodall.org or call (800) 592-5263 between Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

You can help us maintain the accuracy of your information by keeping your information up to date. To update your records with us, email us at community@janegoodall.org or write us at:

the Jane Goodall Institute
1595 Spring Hill Rd
Suite 550
Vienna, VA 22182
USA

 

Last Revised Date:  December 5, 2019

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