Privacy Policy — Black Hills Parks & Forests Association / blackhillsparks.org

Last Updated: 10/16/2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to blackhillsparks.org (“Site,” “we,” “our,” “us”). We are part of the Black Hills Parks & Forests Association (BHPFA). Your privacy matters to us. This policy explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and what choices you have.

By using our Site, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. What Data We Collect & How

We collect data to understand how visitors use our Site, to communicate with you, to improve our services and content, and to fulfill any requests or transactions you make.

a) Automatically Collected Data / Analytics

When you visit our Site, we collect certain usage data via cookies and tracking tools (e.g. Google Analytics 4, Microsoft Clarity). This may include:

  • Pages you visit, how long you stay, and how you found us

  • Browser type and version, device type, operating system

  • Approximate location (city / region), inferred from IP address (but we do not store full IP)

  • Referrer URL (which page or site you clicked from)

  • Events (clicks, scrolls, form interactions)

  • Session identifiers (to track you during your visit)

We use this data in aggregate to analyze Site usage, improve content, identify issues, and support decision-making.

b) Contact Forms, Email, and Newsletter Signup

If you submit a contact form, subscribe to our email newsletter, or otherwise provide us your email address (or name, affiliation, etc.), we will store and use that information to:

  • Respond to your inquiries

  • Send newsletters or updates (only if you opt in)

  • Provide you with information or services you request

We use Mailchimp to manage email lists. Mailchimp may set cookies or use tracking for emails (e.g. open & click tracking). See Mailchimp’s cookie practices here. Mailchimp

c) E-commerce / Donations (if applicable)

If you make donations or purchase items through the Site, we and our provider DonorBox may collect:

  • Name, billing address, email, phone

  • Transaction details (amount, date, method)

  • Payment processor data (credit card or third-party payment gateway) — we do not store full card numbers ourselves

This data is used only to process your transaction, issue receipts, and for accounting / reporting.

3. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to support analytics, performance, and the functioning of our Site.

  • First-party cookies: used by the Site directly (e.g. session cookies, consent store)

  • Third-party cookies / scripts: used by analytics, email, embed services, etc.

Some cookies / scripts run only after you consent.

We also honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals where possible (i.e. if your browser sends “do not sell/share” signals).

You can disable cookies via your browser settings (e.g. turning off third-party cookies). Doing so may affect some functionality of the Site.

4. How We Use & Share Data

We use collected data to:

  • Monitor and analyze how visitors use the Site

  • Improve Site performance, content, and layout

  • Assist internal reporting and strategic planning

  • Respond to inquiries, send updates, fulfill requests

  • Process transactions or donations

We do not sell your personal data.

We may share data with:

  • Service providers / vendors (e.g. email platform, analytics provider, donation/payment processors)

  • Contractors or collaborators who help us manage the Site or provide programs

  • Legal or regulatory authorities, if required by law (court orders, subpoena)

All third parties we use are obligated to secure the data and use it only for authorized purposes.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes set out here, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

  • Analytics / usage data (aggregate) may be retained for 12–24 months

  • Contact form and communication records: retained until no longer needed (e.g. 3–7 years)

  • Email lists: until you unsubscribe or request deletion

  • Transaction / donation records: retained in accordance with accounting / audit rules

When data is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

6. Your Rights & Choices

Depending on where you live, you may have certain rights over your data. These may include:

  • Access: request a copy of the personal data we hold about you

  • Correction: ask us to correct inaccuracies

  • Deletion / erasure: request we delete your data (subject to legal / contractual reasons)

  • Opt-out / Do Not Sell / Do Not Share: especially under state privacy laws (e.g. California, Colorado)

  • Withdraw consent: if you previously consented to cookies / tracking, you can change your mind

To exercise your rights, contact us (see Section 9). We will respond within applicable legal timeframes.

You can also disable or block cookies in your browser (but that may degrade your Site experience).

7. Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, loss, alteration, or disclosure.

We cannot guarantee absolute security, but we use industry-standard practices and periodically review our security stance.

8. International Transfers (If Applicable)

While our primary operations are U.S.-based, if any data is transferred outside the U.S., we ensure that it’s done under legally permitted frameworks (e.g. standard contractual clauses, binding agreements).

9. Children & Minors

Our Site is not intended for use by children under age 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors under 13. If you believe we have collected such data, contact us to have it removed.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will post any changes here and update the “Last Updated” date. If changes are significant, we will notify you (e.g. via site banner or email).

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your rights, or want to request data deletion, you can contact us:

Black Hills Parks & Forests Association
Email: support@blackhillsparks.org

12. Accessibility & Plain Language

We aim to make this policy readable and accessible. If you have difficulty reading or understanding any part (due to assistive technology or otherwise), please contact us and we will provide a version that works for you.