Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

• Register for events or activities
• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Submit contest entries (photos, videos, stories)
• Contact us through forms or email
• Participate in surveys or feedback requests

1.2 Information Automatically Collected

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

• IP address and browser information
• Pages visited and time spent on our site
• Referring website and search terms used
• Device type and operating system
• General location (city/region level only)

1.3 Photos and Media

We may collect photos and videos taken at Forest Capital events, as well as user-submitted content through our contest and community features. All media collection includes appropriate consent mechanisms.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide information about Forest Capital events and activities
• Process event registrations and send confirmations
• Send newsletters and updates about forestry initiatives
• Respond to your questions and support requests
• Improve our website and user experience
• Promote Forest Capital activities through photos and stories (with consent)
• Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights

3. Information Sharing

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We may share information only in these limited circumstances:

3.1 Event Partners

For specific events, we may share necessary registration information with event partners or venues (such as name and contact details for safety purposes). We will inform you of any such sharing.

3.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or to protect the safety of our community members.

3.3 Service Providers

We may use trusted third-party services (such as email platforms or analytics tools) that process information on our behalf. These providers are bound by confidentiality agreements.

4. Cookies and Tracking

4.1 Essential Cookies

We use essential cookies to make our website function properly, such as remembering your preferences and maintaining security.

4.2 Analytics

We use web analytics tools to understand how visitors use our site and to improve our content. This information is aggregated and does not identify individual users.

4.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

5. Newsletter and Communications

5.1 Email Communications

• Newsletter subscription is completely voluntary
• You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in every email
• We will only send Forest Capital related communications
• We do not share email addresses with third parties for marketing

5.2 Event Notifications

If you register for events, we may send important updates related to those specific events (schedule changes, weather alerts, etc.).

6. Contest and User-Generated Content

6.1 Contest Submissions

• Contest entries (photos, videos, stories) may be used for promotional purposes
• We will credit contributors when featuring their content
• Submissions become part of our Forest Capital archive
• You retain rights to your original content

6.2 Photo and Video Consent

By attending our events, you consent to being photographed or recorded for promotional purposes. If you prefer not to be included in photos, please inform event staff.

7. Data Security

We protect your information through:

• Secure website connections (SSL encryption)
• Limited access to personal information
• Regular security reviews and updates
• Secure storage of contest submissions and media files
• Prompt deletion of unnecessary data

8. Data Retention

We retain information for different periods based on its purpose:

• Event registrations: Until the event concludes, plus one year for planning purposes
• Newsletter subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe
• Contest entries: For the duration of our Forest Capital designation (2024-2025) plus archival purposes
• Contact form inquiries: One year after resolution
• Website analytics: Aggregated data retained for improvement purposes

9. Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Request access to your personal information
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your information (subject to legal requirements)
• Withdraw consent for photography at events
• Unsubscribe from communications at any time
• Request removal from our mailing lists

10. Children's Privacy

Our website is intended for general audiences. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected such information, we will take steps to delete it promptly. For family events, we require parental consent for any photography or contest participation involving minors.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to other websites. This privacy policy applies only to our website. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on our website and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Governing Law

This privacy policy is governed by the privacy laws of Canada and the Northwest Territories. We comply with applicable Canadian privacy legislation, including PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act).

14. Contact Us

If you have questions about this privacy policy or our privacy practices, please contact us: