Effective date: October 17, 2025
Wilderness Institute (“Wilderness Institute,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates https://wildernessinstitute.org and related pages, forms, and services (collectively, the “Site”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect personal information and the choices you have.
If you have questions, contact us at info@WildernessInstitute.com or by mail at Wilderness Institute, 46 TreeHouse Rd, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, USA.
1) Who we are & scope
Wilderness Institute is a nonprofit organization providing outdoor education and related programs. This policy covers personal information we process through the Site, our event registrations, waivers, bookings, newsletters, donations, and other interactions with you (together, the “Services”). This policy does not cover third-party websites or services we do not control.
2) Information we collect
Information you provide directly
• Contact & identifiers: name, email, phone number, postal address.
• Account/registration info: program selections, dates, preferences.
• Waiver & participation info: signatures, emergency contact, health or accommodation notes you choose to provide.
• Donation & payment info: amount, method, billing details (payments are processed by third-party processors; we do not store full card numbers).
• Communications: messages, feedback, survey responses.
• Newsletter preferences: your subscription status and interests.
Information collected automatically
• Usage & device data: IP address, browser type, pages viewed, referring/exit pages, timestamps.
• Cookies & similar tech: used for core site functionality, analytics, and (if enabled) marketing. See Cookies below.
Information from third parties
• Email & marketing tools (e.g., EcoSend) store your subscription status and campaign interactions.
• Payment processors (e.g., PayPal/Stripe) provide us with payment confirmations.
• Booking & calendar tools (e.g., Google Calendar, [Airbnb/Hipcamp/Vrbo, if applicable]) share reservation or scheduling metadata necessary to manage your booking.
• Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics) provide aggregated traffic insights.
Sensitive notes: If you share health or accommodation information in a waiver or registration, we use it only to support your safe participation. Please share only what is necessary.
3) How we use your information
We process personal information to:
• Provide Services: register you for programs, manage bookings, process waivers, handle donations, and deliver confirmations/updates.
• Communicate: send service emails, respond to inquiries, and deliver our newsletter (with your consent or as allowed by law).
• Improve the Site: monitor, analyze, and enhance usability and security.
• Safety & compliance: protect against fraud or misuse, and comply with legal obligations, risk management, and recordkeeping.
Legal bases (EEA/UK visitors): consent (e.g., newsletters/cookies), performance of a contract (e.g., registrations), legitimate interests (e.g., site security, program management), and legal obligations (e.g., tax/records).
4) When we share information
We do not sell personal information. We share it only with:
• Service providers/“processors” acting on our instructions (hosting, email/SMS delivery such as EcoSend, analytics, payment processing, booking/calendar tools, form/website platforms like WordPress plugins).
• Program partners and venues only as needed to run an event you join (e.g., a park permit office may require aggregate headcounts).
• Legal/disclosure needs if required by law, to protect safety, rights, or security, or in connection with an organizational transition.
All service providers must protect the data and use it only for our purposes.
5) Retention
We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described here, including legal, accounting, or reporting requirements (e.g., donation records may be retained for the period required by law). When no longer needed, we delete or de-identify data.
6) Your choices & rights
Email preferences: You can unsubscribe from newsletters at any time via the link in our emails or by contacting info@WildernessInstitute.com.
Cookies: You can control cookies via your browser settings. If we display a cookie banner, you can adjust preferences there. Disabling non-essential cookies may affect some features.
Access, correction, deletion: Depending on your location, you may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information, or object to/limit certain processing. To make a request, email info@WildernessInstitute.com. We will verify your identity and respond as required by applicable law.
EEA/UK: You may also have the right to data portability and to withdraw consent at any time (without affecting prior processing). You can lodge a complaint with your local Data Protection Authority.
California (CPRA): California residents may request access, deletion, and correction. We do not sell personal information or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. To exercise rights, email info@WildernessInstitute.com.
7) Children’s privacy
Our Site and Services are not directed to children under 13. If you believe we have collected personal information from a child under 13 (or under 16 in certain jurisdictions) without appropriate consent, please contact us and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.
8) Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. If we become aware of a security incident affecting your information, we will act in accordance with applicable laws.
9) International transfers
We are based in the United States and your information may be processed in the U.S. and other countries that may not provide the same level of data protection as your home jurisdiction. Where required, we implement appropriate safeguards (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses) when transferring personal data.
10) Cookies & analytics
What cookies we use
• Strictly necessary cookies: required for core functionality (e.g., security, forms).
• Analytics cookies (e.g., Google Analytics): help us understand usage to improve the Site.
• Functional/marketing cookies (if enabled): remember preferences or measure outreach effectiveness.
Managing cookies
You can set your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being placed. You can also opt out of Google Analytics by using Google’s opt-out tools. If we present a cookie banner, you can adjust your preferences any time via the provided link.
11) Third-party links and platforms
Our Site may contain links to third-party websites or platforms (e.g., event pages, booking platforms, social media). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their policies before providing personal information.
12) Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Effective date” above reflects the latest revision. Significant changes will be posted on this page, and, where appropriate, we may notify you by email or banner.
13) Contact us
Questions or requests about this policy or your personal information:
Email: info@WildernessInstitute.com
Mail: Wilderness Institute, 46 Tree House Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505, USA
California “Notice at Collection” (Summary)
We collect identifiers (e.g., name, email, IP), commercial info (e.g., donations, registrations), internet activity (e.g., usage data), and in limited cases information you provide regarding participation needs. We use this information for the purposes described above, including to provide Services, communicate with you, maintain security, perform analytics, and comply with law. We do not sell personal information or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising. We retain information as outlined in Retention.
Short Cookie Notice (for footer or banner)
“We use cookies to operate our site, analyze traffic, and (if enabled) personalize content. By using our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Manage preferences in your browser or (if available) via our cookie settings.”