Introduction

As a non-profit corporation working with many for-profit corporations, other non-profits, governments, other organizations and stakeholders, Earth Economics takes privacy issues very seriously.  We strive to at least meet basic standards of protection and employ best practices in keeping with U.S. and international norms.  This Privacy Policy describes how this website collects, uses and protects personally identifiable information (“PII”) as well as your options for accessing and changing that information.

Information Collected on this Website

In various places on this website, we may gather and store information that you voluntarily provide, such as your name, email address and other basic contact information for the purposes of allowing you to communicate electronically with Earth Economics and its personnel.  In addition, our servers create log files where we may also collect and store your IP address, access URL, time of access, geographic location, browser type, and referral URL, which allow us to analyze and understand traffic and use patterns at our website so that we can continually make improvements to visitors’ experiences.  These log files do not contain PII and this type of information is never linked back to any PII that you have provided.

We also gather and store contact and other information from individuals or organizations that choose to donate to Earth Economics via our website, and we also use that information to keep donors informed about the impact of Earth Economics’ work.  Note:  Earth Economics does not collect and store credit card or other payment card information on this website.  We use a third-party payment processor, PayPal, to assist in completing financial transactions initiated on this website.  PayPal has its own privacy policies for collecting, storing and using payment card and other information in connection with such transactions.  Earth Economics has no control or influence over such policies or PayPal’s compliance with them, and we have no access to the payment card or other information collected by PayPal.  Users of this website are encouraged to review PayPal’s privacy policies before engaging in financial transactions that are initiated on Earth Economics’ website.

  • Cookies.  We use two kinds of cookies on our website.  “Session cookies” help us improve your experience while visiting the website and avoid the need to re-enter information.  Session cookies are temporary cookies that operate only during your use of our website, and automatically stop when you leave.  We do not store PII on cookies.

  • We also use cookies in connection with Google Analytics.  Google cookies gather and store information about use patterns and traffic on our website.  This information helps us identify problems and make changes in our website to improve and enhance user experience. Google cookies do not store information specific to any user of our website, and we will not use any user-specific information in any way related to Google Analytics.  Aggregated information from Google cookies is used exclusively to refine our website. 

At any time, you may opt-out of Google Analytics tracking with the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.  Details about disabling cookies generally can typically be found in the Help facility provided with your browser.

Earth Economics’ Use of Collected and Stored Information

Except as required by law or court order, Earth Economics will not sell, rent, share, or pass on your PII to any third party without your prior and express consent.  Earth Economics uses a third-party service provider to host our website.  Third-party service providers are not permitted to use or share any PII that they may receive from Earth EconomicsEarth Economics does not share any of the PII of users of our website with outside parties.  Earth Economics uses aggregate technical data about visitors’ use of our website only for purposes of improving our website and users’ experiences. 

Protection of PII

Earth Economics makes its best effort to protect users’ information collected and stored on our website in keeping with U.S. and international norms.  Only basic information, such as a user’s name, email address, and other contact details will be gathered and stored by Earth Economics.   Earth Economics uses Squarespace, a third-party service provider to host our website.  All information relating to Google Analytics will be gathered and stored on Squarespace’s servers, where access will be provided to Earth Economics personnelThe Squarespace Privacy Policy can be found here:  http://www.squarespace.com/privacy/Earth Economics uses a third-party provider, PayPal, to complete any financial transaction, such as donations, initiated on our website.  PayPal’s Privacy Policy can be found here:  https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full

Website User Consents; Disclaimer

By your use of Earth Economics’ website, you consent to our collection, storage, and use of your PII and other information as set forth in this Privacy Policy.  Any changes to this Policy will be posted to this page and noted on our Home Page.  If changes occur to this Policy with which you are not satisfied, you can call us at 253-539-4801 or email us at info@eartheconomics.org, and instruct us to no longer collect, store, and use your information.

It is not possible for Earth Economics to predict or control the route by which information will travel to and from our website.  This means that your information may be temporarily transferred along routes that are not completely secured.  By using our website, you consent to such transfers. 

By your use of our website, you agree that Earth Economics will not be held liable for damages of any kind (for example, but not limited to, direct, indirect, compensatory, or punitive damages) arising out of or related to your use of our website, or any loss of data, loss of income, damage to property, or third-party claims.

Copyright Notice

All designs, text, graphics, and arrangements thereof on our website are the copyright of Earth Economics or other copyright owners as identified on the website or on publications, reports, and other materials available on or through our websiteAny unauthorized reproduction of these copyrighted materials without the prior written permission of Earth Economics or other identified copyright owners is strictly prohibited. 

Opt-out Provisions

You may opt-out of receiving communications from Earth Economics.  You may request access to any of your PII that may be collected or stored on our website, and request corrections or changes to such information.  For these requests or for more information about our Privacy Policy and practices, you may call us at 253-539-4801, or email us at info@eartheconomics.org.