This Privacy Notice is designed to clarify the practices of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill (“NEBG”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) regarding your personal information when you interact with our online presence, specifically through the NEBG website accessible at https://nebg.org/ (the “Website”). We believe in transparency and want you to fully understand what information we collect, how we utilize it, who we might share it with, and importantly, the choices available to you in managing your personal data. Your privacy is paramount to us, and this notice serves to detail our commitment to protecting your information within the digital landscape of New England and beyond.
Personal Information: What We Collect and How We Use It
During your engagement with our Website, NEBG gathers personal information, defined as data that can identify you as an individual or is related to an identifiable person. We collect this information both directly from you and automatically as you navigate and use our Website. This section outlines the specifics of what data we collect and for what purposes.
A. Information You Voluntarily Provide
We actively collect personal information when you choose to interact with our Website in various ways. The following are specific instances where you directly provide us with your information:
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Donations: When you decide to support NEBG through a donation, we collect essential identifiers to process your generosity. This includes your name, email address, title, organization name (if applicable), physical address, and telephone number. For payment processing, we collect billing address, credit card number, CVV, and expiration date. This financial information is securely handled by our payment processor; NEBG retains only historical payment records. We use your provided data to process your donation, issue any necessary tax documentation, and ensure your contribution is accurately recorded.
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Purchases: Engaging with our online store necessitates the collection of information to fulfill your orders. Similar to donations, we gather identifiers such as name, email address, title, organization name (if relevant), address, and telephone number. Payment details, including billing address, credit card number, CVV, and expiration date, are also collected, processed securely by our payment processor, with NEBG maintaining historical payment data. This information enables us to process your purchase, communicate with you about your order status, and ensure accurate delivery.
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E-newsletter Subscriptions: To keep you informed about the latest happenings at New England Botanic Garden, we offer an e-newsletter subscription. When you opt-in, we collect identifiers like your name, address, and email address. This allows us to send you our newsletter and updates. You have full control over your subscription and can unsubscribe at any time via the “unsubscribe” link in each email. It’s important to note that while you can opt out of marketing communications, we will still send essential notifications related to your membership or any products or services you’ve requested. Our newsletters utilize tracking technologies, provided by Constant Contact, to understand recipient engagement, such as whether emails are opened. This helps us improve our communications. By subscribing, you consent to the use of these technologies. You can manage tracking by disabling image display in your email settings.
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Membership Enrollment: Becoming a member of NEBG involves providing us with certain details to activate and manage your membership. We collect identifiers (name, address, email address, telephone number), your chosen membership type, or enrollment in special programs, and payment card information (card number, expiration date). Online sign-ups also require a chosen username and password. This information is used to enroll you, communicate membership details, and process payments. Payment information is securely shared with our payment processor. While you can unsubscribe from promotional emails, essential membership-related notifications will continue.
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Planned Gift Inquiries: If you are considering making a planned gift to support New England Botanic Garden’s future, we collect information to facilitate this process. Through our third-party gift management provider, we collect identifiers (name, email address, telephone number, address) and details about the type of gift you’re considering (e.g., will, trust, life insurance). We also inquire if you wish to receive estate planning information or schedule a consultation. This information allows us to respond to your inquiry and provide relevant guidance.
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Volunteer Sign-Ups and Timesheets: Volunteering at NEBG is a valuable contribution, and when you sign up online, we collect identifiers (name, telephone number, email address), the date of your request, your preferred area within NEBG, and any additional comments you provide. This helps us process your application and contact you about opportunities. For volunteers submitting timesheets, we collect identifiers (name and email address), volunteer date, hours, and job description to process and share the timesheet as requested.
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Private Event Inquiries: Planning an event at our unique New England location? When you inquire about private events (weddings, meetings, parties), we collect identifiers (name, email address, membership status, telephone number, company name), event details (type, description, date, time, attendees), how you found us, and any other relevant information. This enables us to process your request and discuss hosting your event at NEBG.
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Product Submissions for Online Shop: If you are a vendor interested in having NEBG sell your products, we collect identifiers (name, company name, email address, address), website URL, product description, attached files, price range, minimum order, handmade status, local/regional origin, and other sales outlets. This information is used to evaluate your product submission.
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Account Creation: Creating an account on our Website streamlines tour reservations and communication. We collect identifiers (email address and password) to manage your account, facilitate bookings, and inform you about our services. With your consent (unless opted-out), we use your name and email for marketing communications, from which you can unsubscribe anytime while still receiving account-related messages.
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Contacting Us: When you reach out with questions or inquiries, we collect identifiers (name and email address) and any details you include in your message. This allows us to respond effectively, troubleshoot issues, and address your concerns related to the Website or NEBG.
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Boxed Lunch Menu Forms: Ordering boxed lunches for your visit involves completing a form where we collect identifiers (name, email address) and lunch menu details (sandwich types, quantities, pickup date/time, tour date). This information helps us process and fulfill your lunch order.
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Business Partnership Forms: For potential business collaborations, our partnership form collects identifiers (name, job title, business email, telephone, address), contact preferences, organization type, interest areas, how you learned about NEBG, and additional information. This allows us to process your partnership inquiry and communicate with you.
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Sponsored Event Request Forms: Organizations seeking event sponsorship from NEBG provide identifiers (name, address, telephone, email), organization details (name, website, mission, EIN), event details (type, date, attendees, description). This information is used to assess and respond to your sponsorship request.
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Group Visit/Tour Forms: Planning a group visit or tour requires you to complete a form with identifiers (name, email, telephone, address), requested date/time, tour type, and special needs/questions. This information helps us process and coordinate your group visit.
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Field Trip and Youth Group Visit Reservation Forms: Educators and youth group leaders booking visits provide identifiers (name, email, telephone, address), group name, age range, program request, participant/chaperone numbers, and preferred visit date/time. This enables us to process and manage your educational visit reservation.
The personal information collected as described above may also be used to ensure legal compliance, maintain efficient business operations, and in other limited circumstances detailed in the section “HOW WE SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION“.
Image alt text: A serene pathway winds through the lush greenery of New England Botanic Garden, showcasing the beauty and tranquility visitors can experience.
B. Information Collected Automatically
Beyond the information you actively provide, we also automatically collect certain data through cookies and similar technologies as you use our Website. This automatic data collection helps us understand website usage and improve user experience. The types of information collected automatically include:
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Usage Information: We employ functional cookies to track your interactions with our Website. This includes pages visited, frequency of visits, time spent on each page, clicks, and referring website addresses. We use this data to enhance user experience, prevent fraudulent activities, and diagnose and resolve technical errors.
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Device Information: Functional cookies also help us collect details about the device you use to access our Website, such as browser type, language, hardware model, operating system, and your preferences. This information is used for user experience enhancement, fraud prevention, error diagnosis, preference remembering, and providing improved functionality.
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Location Information: We utilize functional cookies to gather location data, potentially derived from your IP address. This location information supports user experience improvements, fraud prevention, error diagnosis, preference retention, and enhanced functionality.
To manage your preferences regarding interest-based advertising and learn more about service provider data use, you can visit the Network Advertising Initiative or the Digital Advertising Alliance. Opting out places an “opt-out cookie” on your device, which is browser and device-specific and lasts until cookies are cleared. This opt-out does not apply to essential cookies necessary for Website function. If cookies are removed, browser upgraded, or a different device is used, you must re-select your preferences.
Specific third-party cookies used on our Website include:
- Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to analyze website usage patterns and improve our Website. Google Analytics may set or read cookies on your browser and may receive information from Google partner applications. We do not combine Google Analytics data with personally identifiable information. Google’s use of Google Analytics data is governed by their Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, accessible here. To prevent Google Analytics from using your data, you can install the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on, available here.
How We Share Your Personal Information: Extending Beyond New England
NEBG may share your personal information within the organization, with service providers who assist us, or with other third parties in specific situations. These instances are detailed below:
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Within NEBG: We may share your information internally within New England Botanic Garden for legitimate business purposes, to efficiently manage operations, and as legally permitted.
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With Service Providers: We engage service providers who support our Website and services. These include providers for IT support, customer relationship management, e-commerce platform operation, payment processing, event planning, gift management, and email marketing. These providers may have access to your personal information to perform their services.
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With Third Parties: Disclosure of your personal information to third parties, such as legal advisors, law enforcement, or regulatory bodies, may be necessary to protect our legal rights, prevent fraud or illegal activities, prevent harm, manage risk, and comply with legal obligations.
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Corporate Reorganization: In the event of a business restructuring event like a reorganization, merger, acquisition, sale, joint venture, assignment, consolidation, transfer, or change of control, we may share personal information with relevant third parties, including potential buyers and their advisors, to facilitate the transaction. This also applies in cases of bankruptcy or liquidation proceedings.
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With Your Consent: For reasons beyond those listed, we may seek your explicit consent to share your personal information for a specific purpose. We will provide notice and request consent before sharing your data in such instances, and you have the right to revoke consent with reasonable written notice.
Your Choices Regarding Personal Information: Control in Your Hands
Marketing Communications: You have the option to opt-out of receiving our newsletter and other marketing communications by using the “unsubscribe” link in each email. Even if you opt-out of marketing, you will still receive essential notifications related to the Website, your membership, services, or support requests.
Nevada Residents: Consumers residing in Nevada have the right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information. While we do not currently sell personal information under Nevada law, Nevada residents can submit opt-out requests for future sales by contacting us at [email protected] with “Opt-Out Request Under Nevada Law” in the subject line.
Do Not Track: We do not currently support Do Not Track (DNT) browser preferences. DNT is a setting that allows you to inform websites that you do not wish to be tracked. You can manage DNT settings in your browser’s preferences or settings.
Security of Your Personal Information: Our Protective Measures
We implement and maintain security measures, including access controls, to protect the personal information we collect and maintain. However, it’s important to acknowledge that no online security measure is completely foolproof, and we cannot provide an absolute guarantee regarding the security of your personal information.
Age Restriction: Not Intended for Minors
The services offered on our Website are not designed for individuals under the age of eighteen (18).
Changes to This Privacy Notice: Staying Updated
We may update this Privacy Notice periodically at our discretion. Changes will be posted on this page with the effective date indicated. We encourage you to review this Privacy Notice regularly to stay informed of any updates. If we make significant changes that affect your privacy rights, we will notify you prominently on our Website.
Contact Us: We Are Here to Help
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Notice or our data handling practices, please contact us at:
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
11 French Drive
P.O. Box 598
Boylston, MA 01505-059
[email protected]
