The River Network website is intended to provide information on River Network’s programs and services and offer a vast array of resources for building a river organization and understanding, protecting and restoring rivers.

Information Collection and Use

River Network is the sole owner of the information collected on the site. We will not sell, share, or rent this information to others in ways different from what is disclosed on this statement. River Network collects information from users who purchase resources, want access to certain site features, sign up for our e-newsletters, register for events/trainings or join our Partnership program.

Registration

In order to access certain areas of our website, a user must first complete the sign-in form. During sign-in a user is required to give their contact information, such as name, email address and postal address. This information is used to contact the user about the services on our site for which they have expressed interest.

Ordering Publications

We request information from the user on our order form. Here a user must provide contact information (name and shipping address) and sometimes financial information (credit card number, expiration date). This information is used for billing purposes and to fill customers’ orders. If we have trouble processing an order, this contact information is used to get in touch with the user.

Cookies

A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s hard drive containing information about the user. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information while on our site. For instance, by setting a cookie on our site, the user would not have to log-in a password more than once, thereby saving time while on our site. If a user rejects the cookie, they may still use our site. The only drawback to this is that the user will be limited in some areas of our site. Cookies can also enable us to track and target the interests of our users to enhance the experience on our site.

Log Files

We use IP addresses to analyze trends, administer the site, track users’ movement through the site, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. IP addresses are not linked to personally identifiable information.

Links

This website contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we [River Network] are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every website that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this website.

Newsletter

If a user wishes to subscribe to our e-newsletter, we ask for contact information, such as name and email address. Users who no longer wish to receive our e-newsletter may opt-out of receiving these communications by replying to unsubscribe in the subject line in the email or by emailing us. We will in no case share e-mail addresses with other organizations.

Topic-based Email Lists (ListServes)

If a user wishes to opt-in to our topic-based email lists, we ask for contact information, such as name and email address. Users who no longer wish to remain on the list may opt-out by replying to unsubscribe in the subject line in the email or emailing us.

Surveys

From time to time, our site requests information from users via surveys. Participation in these surveys is completely voluntary and the user therefore has a choice whether or not to disclose this information. Information requested may include contact information (such as name and shipping address), and demographic information (such as zip code, age level). Survey information will be used for purposes of monitoring or improving the user satisfaction with this site or services.

Postcards

If a user elects to send a postcard to a friend, we ask them for the friend’s name and email address. River Network will automatically send the friend an email inviting them to visit the site. The friend may contact River Network at www.rivernetwork.org to request the removal of this information from our database.

Security

This website takes every precaution to protect our users’ information. When users submit sensitive information via the website, their information is protected both online and off-line.

When our registration/order form asks users to enter sensitive information (such as credit card number and/or social security number), that information is encrypted and is protected during transmissions with the best encryption software in the industry – SSL. While on a secure page, such as our order form, the lock icon on the bottom of Web browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer becomes locked, as opposed to unlocked, or open, when you are just ‘surfing’ (learn more about SSL). While we use SSL encryption to protect sensitive information online, we also do everything in our power to protect user-information off-line. All of our users’ information, not just the sensitive information mentioned above, is restricted in our offices. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, our billing clerk or a customer service representative) are granted access to personally identifiable information. The servers that we store personally identifiable information on are kept in a secure environment. If you have any questions about the security at our website, please email us.

Special Offers

Established Partners will occasionally receive information on products, services, special deals, and a newsletter. Out of respect for the privacy of our users we present the option to not receive these types of communications. Please see our choice and opt-out below.

Site and Service Updates

We also may send the user site and service announcement updates. Members are not able to un-subscribe from service announcements, which contain important information about the service. We communicate with the user to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account via email or phone.

Correction/Updating Personal Information:

If a user’s personally identifiable information (such as a zip code) changes, or if a user no longer desires our service, we will provide a way to correct, update or remove that user’s personal data provided to us. This can usually be done at the member information page or by emailing us.

Choice/Opt-out

Our users are given the opportunity to ‘opt-out’ of having their information used for purposes not directly related to our site, at the point where we ask for the information. For example, our order form has an ‘opt-out’ mechanism so users who buy a product from us, but don’t want any solicitations, can keep their email address off of our lists. Users who no longer wish to receive our newsletter or remain on an email list may opt-out of receiving these communications by updating his/her personal account page, replying to unsubscribe in the subject line in the email or email us.

Notification of Changes

If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on our Homepage so our users are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances, if any, we disclose it. If at any point we decide to use personally identifiable information in a manner different from that stated at the time it was collected, we will notify users by way of an email. Users will have a choice as to whether or not we use their information in this different manner. We will use information in accordance with the privacy policy under which the information was collected.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions about our privacy policy, please contact us.