The Mono Lake Committee respects our website visitors' privacy and is committed to honoring your preferences.

This privacy policy governs the way we collect and use your information online, including at monolake.org and its subdomains and the Mono Lake Committee’s social media. 

This privacy policy explains how the Mono Lake Committee, also known as the Mono Lake Foundation, uses the personal and non-personal information we collect from you when you use our website. 

You may freely visit our website anonymously and without being required to provide us with any personally identifying information. However, certain requests do require that you provide us with some personally identifying information as described below. Personally identifying information, or "personal information,” is data that can be used to identify or contact you. 

1. Your data protection rights 

The Mono Lake Committee wants to make sure you are fully aware of all of your data protection rights. Every user is entitled to the following: 

• The right to access: You have the right to request from the Mono Lake Committee copies of your personal data. 
• The right to rectification: You have the right to request the Mono Lake Committee correct any information you believe is inaccurate. You also have the right to request the Mono Lake Committee complete the information you believe is incomplete. 
• The right to erasure: You have the right to request the Mono Lake Committee erase your personal data. 

• The right to restrict processing: You have the right to request the Mono Lake Committee restrict the processing of your personal data. 
• The right to object to processing: You have the right to object to the Mono Lake Committee’s processing of your personal data. 
• The right to data portability: You have the right to request the Mono Lake Committee transfer the data that we have collected to another organization, or directly to you. 

If you need to make a personal data request or exercise any of these rights, please send all privacy policy-related communications to privacy@monolake.org or the Mono Lake Committee, Attn: Privacy, P.O. Box 29, Lee Vining, CA 93541. 

2. What data we collect 

The Mono Lake Committee collects/may collect personal information when you submit it to us through the website, including through event registrations and online store purchases. When you provide your information, it will be used to meet your requests, or to provide you with the applicable information or service requested. Personal information can include: your name, address(es), email address(es), phone number(s), gender, and spouse/significant other. 

We may collect certain non-personal information by automated means when you visit the website. Non-personal information is data in a form that does not support direct association with any specific person or individual. Much of this information, when collected, is through the use of third-party tracking services. The information collected may include usage information, such as the numbers and frequency of users to the website, pages visited, web browsing histories, the user’s location and device, social networking activities, and similar data. When gathered, this data is used in the aggregate, and not in a manner that is intended to identify you personally. This type of aggregate information may be shared with third parties, including for advertising. In conjunction with advertisements that we may serve on the website, we also may use “ad pixels” and/or “trackers” that follow and track your activities from an ad to specific website use/activities. 

When you visit and interact with the website, third parties with whom we have contracted to provide services for us may collect Internet Protocol addresses (IP address), as well as browser type, Internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and page navigation. An IP address is a unique identifier number that certain electronic devices use to identify and to communicate with each other on the Internet; your Internet service provider automatically assigns an IP address to the computer that you are using. We gather this information to track website visitor movement in the aggregate, and to gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. Our goal in gathering this information is to learn how our customers and the public are using our website. We may use this information to enhance our website or for other lawful purposes. 

3. How we collect your data 

The following list includes the most common ways that you may provide your personal data to us and the types of personal data that we may collect in these ways: 

Registration: We do not ask that you register or enter any personal data to access or use most areas of the website. However, you may choose to subscribe to emails and alerts distributed by the Mono Lake Committee, or to join the Mono Lake Committee’s mailing list. To do so, you may be required to enter certain personal data, including your email address and mailing address. 

Donations and gifts: In order to make a donation through the website, you will be required to input your name, address, credit card information, and email address. 

When you donate to the Mono Lake Committee via the website, your donation information (i.e., your name, address, donation amount, credit card number, credit card expiration date, and any other submitted information as applicable) is encrypted and transmitted via a secure connection. The Mono Lake Committee uses your credit card information only for the purpose of processing your donation. We do not disclose credit card information except as necessary to process your donation or as required by law or legal process. Automated Clearing House (ACH) and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments are securely encrypted and processed. The Mono Lake Committee does not, itself, store or have access to any credit card information you submit online to make a donation. 

Online store purchases: In order to purchase products online you must complete a transaction form. The form requires shoppers to provide their name, contact information including email address, and credit card information that is securely encrypted and processed through a recognized third-party e-commerce platform provider, and only used to fulfill your request. The Mono Lake Committee receives your name and contact information including email, which we store in a secure database. The Mono Lake Committee does not, itself, store or have access to any credit card information you submit online to complete purchases or donations. 

The Mono Lake Committee does not store in our database nor do we have access to the credit card information you submit through our online donation portal or through our online store. 

Communications between you and the Mono Lake Committee: You may contact the Mono Lake Committee or subscribe to newsletters and other emails, and we may respond to your inquiries or subscription requests. Additionally, when you provide us with your email address and mailing address, we may contact you to ask you to become a donor to the Mono Lake Committee. 

Other purposes: In addition to the above, the Mono Lake Committee may process personal data for other purposes for which we will provide notice to you at the time of collection. 

4. How we use your data 

The Mono Lake Committee collects your data in the course of our work to protect Mono Lake. Examples of specific ways we use your data include but are not limited to: keeping you updated about Mono Lake and the Mono Lake Committee’s work, sending you items you have purchased from our bookstore and online store, soliciting donations, holding events, hosting tours, emailing you about events and special offers, sending you mail regarding our work, events, and fundraising, and providing a useful online experience when you use our website. 

Upon receiving your personal data, we create a user profile linked to that personal data. If the same personal data is provided in connection with future donations, actions or activities on the website, such actions may be added to your user profile. You may review and update this information at any time. 

Examples of instances when we collect data and process data include when you: 

• Register online or place an order for any of our products or services—including tours, events, and items in the physical and online bookstore 

• Voluntarily complete a survey or submit a form 
• Opt-in to send us your information via social media 
• Use or view our website via your browser’s cookies 

When you make a donation or sign up to be a member, purchase a product from us, register for a Mono Lake Committee event, seminar, or program, subscribe to our email list, or engage with us online (e.g., filling out a form), we ask you for personal contact information such as your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. We may use this contact information to provide you with a receipt or financial report; to contact you to clarify or obtain additional information about an order you placed, a donation you made, an event or program you registered for; or to send you additional information about the Mono Lake Committee. 

If you make a donation, we may contact you to offer you an opportunity to make another gift. You may also receive a personal call from a staff member or volunteer thanking you for your donation. You will always have the opportunity to opt-out of future communications from us. 

From time to time, the Mono Lake Committee rents or exchanges our list of members with other reputable organizations to benefit our programs and activities. We have found this to be the most cost-effective method of reaching additional potential constituents and we hope you value the information these other organizations send you. Your name is only made available to these carefully screened organizations through third-party mailing agents for a limited use. Such organizations will not have continued access to your name and address unless you choose to respond to their initial mailing. You may request to have your name removed from a list rental or exchange by emailing us at membership@monolake.org and referencing “Please don’t share my information” in the subject line. You also may call or mail us. 

Personal contact information also may be shared with reputable companies we use for services such as shipping products or sending mail. These companies must agree to maintain the confidentiality of any personal contact information we provide them in order to perform their services. In addition, if you made a donation via an online fundraiser or third-party event, the Mono Lake Committee may share your donation information with the fundraising host so the host can measure the success of its activities. 

The Mono Lake Committee does not disclose your personal data to any third parties, except: 

• to manage the website and our database with the help of service providers (who are obligated to maintain its confidentiality) 

• to send you communications about your interactions with us or about features of the website, including any future changes to this policy 
• as required by law or requested by governmental or law enforcement authorities, subpoena, court order or discovery request, or when we otherwise believe in good faith that such disclosure is appropriate in connection with any activity that may violate the law or the rights of others, threaten the safety or security of any person or property (including the website) or expose us to liability 
• when we sometimes share or rent our postal mailing list to other non-profit organizations that we feel you may be interested in hearing from. Please contact us at membership@monolake.org if you do not wish us to share your postal address for these mailings. Be sure to include your name, address, and email address to help expedite your request. 

The Mono Lake Committee hires contractors to assist us to perform certain business functions such as credit card processing, order fulfillment, or email and membership list services. Our contractors are provided only the information necessary for them to do their jobs and are prohibited from using the information they receive from the Mono Lake Committee in any way other than to provide their services to the Mono Lake Committee. They may not share, resell, or use the information they collect for their own direct marketing purposes. 

5. Security measures and data storage 

The Mono Lake Committee is committed to protecting the information you provide to us. We employ multiple layers of physical, technical, and administrative controls, including firewalls, anti-virus software, and encryption technology, to protect the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of our systems and the information stored there. Access to our systems for staff is permission-based and access to personal information is restricted. However, no data transmission or storage system is 100 percent secure from unauthorized access or use. Although we strive to protect your information, we cannot ensure or warrant the security of such information. 

All personal information provided to the Mono Lake Committee is transmitted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. SSL is an industry-accepted coding system that lets your browser automatically encrypt or scramble data before you send it to us. 

We may retain your personal data for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which we have collected it, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, regulatory, accounting, reporting, insurance, professional indemnity, internal policy, or other requirements. 

We may anonymize your personal data (so that it can no longer be associated with you) for research or statistical purposes. In such cases, we may use this information indefinitely without further notice to you. 

If you have reason to believe that your personal information has been compromised while in our care, please immediately notify us at privacy@monolake.org. 

6. Cookies, Tracking, and Analytics 

When you visit any website (including ours), it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies are text files placed on your computer to collect standard Internet log information and visitor behavior information. This information might be about you, your preferences, or your device and is mostly used to make the website work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. 

Our website and social media use several techniques, such as cookies, beacons, and pixel tags, to improve the functioning of these platforms, to help us understand how people are using them, and to personalize your experience. The Mono Lake Committee also contracts with third parties to provide analytics information, reports, and analysis about the usage and browsing patterns of our website visitors. The website uses third-party tracking and ad tools, such as Google Ads, Facebook, and Google Analytics. 

Using the settings of your Internet or mobile browser, you can choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. However, if you choose to disable any cookies, some features of the website may become disabled, and some aspects of the website may not function properly. 

Some of our services can deliver content based on your current location if you choose to enable that feature. If you enable the location-based feature, your current location will be stored locally on your device, which will then be used by the website. If you elect to have a location-based search saved to your history, we will store that information on our servers. This information is used to gather information to analyze website traffic, to improve our content for navigation and to personalize your experience. 

If you continue to use the website without changing your settings, you consent to our use of cookies and other tools on the website. 

• Strictly Necessary Cookies: These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions you take that amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or completing forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the website may then not work properly. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. 
• Performance Cookies: These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of the website. They help us know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the website. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited the website and will not be able to monitor its performance. 

• Functional Cookies: These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then the website may not function properly. 
• Targeting Cookies: These cookies may be set through the website by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. These cookies uniquely identify your browser and device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. 

You can set your browser not to accept cookies. Please note that in some cases, some of our website features may not function as a result. 

 7. How you can access and manage your information 

You can review and update certain elements of your personal data and can also opt out of any type of communication from the Mono Lake Committee, at any time. 

You can opt out of any type of communication at any time by contacting membership@monolake.org. 

You can unsubscribe at any time from specific email publications that you are receiving from us by clicking a link that appears in the email itself or by emailing membership@monolake.org. 

You can choose not to receive requests to become a donor by contacting us at membership@monolake.org. 

If you do not want us to collect information about your geographic location, you must disable the technology that transmits this information. 

8. California Privacy Rights / “Do Not Track” signals 

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is currently applicable to businesses that are defined as for-profit entities, however, the Mono Lake Committee is careful to work with compliant businesses. 

The Mono Lake Committee does not track its users over time and across third-party websites to provide targeted advertising, and therefore does not respond to Do Not Track (DNT) signals. However, some third-party sites do keep track of your browsing activities when they serve you content, which enables them to tailor what they present to you. If you are visiting such sites, certain web browsers allow you to set the DNT signal on your browser so that third parties (particularly advertisers) know that you do not want to be tracked. Consult your web browser’s “help” feature for instructions on how to set the DNT signal. 

Third parties such as social media that have content embedded on the Mono Lake Committee’s website, may set cookies on a user’s browser and/or obtain information about the fact that a web browser visited the website from a certain IP address. The Mono Lake Committee does not control or monitor such practices. You should contact such third parties directly to opt out. 

Please note that the California Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) permits website users who are California residents to request and obtain from us once a year, free of charge, information about the personal information (if any) we disclosed to third parties for direct marketing purposes in the preceding calendar year. If applicable, this information would include a list of the categories of personal information that was shared and the names and addresses of all third parties with which we shared information in the immediately preceding calendar year. If you are a California resident and would like to request this information, please send an email at or write to us at privacy@monolake.org. 

Read about other State Non-profit Disclosures. 

9. Rights of individuals in the European Union 

This section applies specifically to individuals in the European Union (the “EU”), but the spirit and intent of the following apply to everyone we interact with. 

With respect to the personal data we collect directly from you, we are the “data controller,” as defined in the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”). 

We will only use your personal data when we have a lawful basis to do so under the GDPR. Usually, we will use your personal data in the following circumstances: 

• When it is necessary for our legitimate interests, and your interests and fundamental rights do not override those interests. 
• When we need to comply with a legal or regulatory obligation. 
• When we have obtained your consent. 

Under the GDPR, individuals in the European Union (“EU Individuals”) have certain rights in relation to their personal data, which are summarized below. These rights are subject to your exercising them in good faith and are subject to our legitimate interests or other valid basis to continue processing your personal data, in accordance with our policies and applicable law. 

Access: If asked by an EU Individual and if we are obligated to do so under applicable law, we will inform that individual about whether we are processing their personal data. If we are processing this data, we will provide access to the personal data that we have about that individual. 

Rectification (i.e., Correction): If the personal data we hold about an EU Individual is inaccurate or incomplete, that individual may ask us to have it corrected. 

Erasure: EU Individuals may request that we erase (i.e., delete or remove) their personal data in certain circumstances. If you are legally entitled to erasure, and if we have shared such personal data with third parties, we will take reasonable steps (taking into account available technology and the cost of implementation) to inform such third parties of your request, to the extent we are required to do so by applicable law. 

Restriction of Processing: EU Individuals have the right to restrict the processing of their personal data in certain circumstances, such as if they contest the accuracy of that personal data, if the processing of the personal data is unlawful, or if we no longer need the personal data for our business purposes. If you are legally entitled to restriction, and if we have shared your personal data with others, we will use reasonable efforts to inform such third parties of your request, if we are required to do so. 

Data Portability: EU Individuals may ask to receive their personal data from us, where the legal basis of our processing is their consent, and where we carry out the processing of their personal data by automated means. If EU Individuals so request, we may transmit their personal information directly to another organization if it would be technically feasible to do so. 

Objection to Processing: EU Individuals may object to the processing of their personal data where we are relying on a legitimate interest (or those of a third party). As noted above, you also have the right to object to (i.e., opt out of) our processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes. 

Automated Decision-Making and Profiling: EU Individuals have the right not to be subject to a decision when it is based on automatic processing, including profiling, if it produces a legal effect or similarly significantly affects you, unless such profiling is necessary for entering into, or the performance of, a contract between you and the Mono Lake Committee. 

Processing of Special Categories of Personal Data: There are certain types of personal data that require a higher level of protection, known as “special categories” of personal data under the GDPR. We do not process special categories of personal data unless (a) we have obtained such individuals’ explicit consent or (b) we are otherwise legally permitted to do so. 

Withdrawing Consent: In certain circumstances, EU Individuals have the right to withdraw their consent to our processing of their personal data. However, withdrawal of consent will not affect the lawfulness of any processing that had been carried out before consent is withdrawn. Moreover, if we rely on another legal basis (e.g., legitimate interest) to process your personal data, we may continue to process your personal data in accordance with such other legal basis even after you withdraw your consent. If you decide to withdraw your consent, we may not be able to provide certain services to you. 

Please note that where we rely on consent to use your personal data, all users worldwide have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. This includes the option to unsubscribe from our email list at any time or to contact us to request to be excluded from our online campaign promotion lists. 

EU Individuals who wish to exercise any of the rights they have under the GDPR should contact privacy@monolake.org. We may need to request specific information to help us confirm your identity, so that your personal data is not disclosed to any person who has no right to receive it. We may also contact you to ask you for further information in relation to your request. 

Generally, EU Individuals will not have to pay a fee to exercise the rights described above. However, we may charge a reasonable fee if your request is unfounded, repetitive, or excessive. Alternatively, we may refuse to comply with the request in such circumstances. 

EU Individuals may lodge a complaint with the appropriate regulatory body or supervisory authority in the country where they reside, where they work, or in the place of the alleged infringement of the law. 

Please note: We are based in the United States and our computer servers are located in the United States. Accordingly, all personal data in our possession and control is collected and processed by us in the United States. Any party that provides personal data to us is thereby transferring such data to the United States. 

Access to our website from countries or territories where such access is illegal or contrary to applicable rules or regulations is prohibited. Those who access our website from outside the United States do so of their own volition and are responsible for compliance with local laws, rules, and regulations. 

10. Children’s privacy / note to parents 

We do not seek or desire to collect information from children under the age of 13 in the United States (or age 16 outside the United States). Therefore, we will not knowingly request information from persons under such ages. Please do not provide any personal data to us for any reason unless you are at least the age of 13 in the United States (or age 16 outside the United States), and please caution your children not to do so. If you are the parent or guardian of a child under 16 years of age and believe that they have disclosed personal information to us without your consent, please contact us at privacy@monolake.org or the mailing address below and be sure to include in your message the same username and password and/or email address that you believe your child submitted. 

11. Privacy policies of other websites 

This policy applies only to our website. If you visit any unaffiliated website linked to the website (for example, Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites), you are subject to that entity’s own privacy policies, which we do not control or monitor. You should review the privacy policies of all third-party websites before you visit them. 

12. Changes to our privacy policy 

The Mono Lake Committee keeps this privacy policy under regular review and places any updates on this webpage. This version of the privacy policy is effective as of October 20, 2020 and supersedes all earlier versions. We may update this privacy policy from time to time, and any subsequent versions of this privacy policy will be posted on the website. You are responsible for periodically visiting the website to check for any updates to this privacy policy. 

13. How to unsubscribe 

You may unsubscribe from Mono Lake Committee email updates at any time. Unsubscribe links are included at the bottom of every email communication that we send. If you are unable to complete your request through our automated process, please contact us by emailing membership@monolake.org and include “Unsubscribe” in your subject line. You also may submit an unsubscribe request to us by mail to the address below. We make every effort to complete these requests within several business days. 

Once you have unsubscribed, the Mono Lake Committee will put you on a “do not contact” list but we will retain your information for backup and archival purposes, including, without limitation, to maintain necessary records of donations and store transactions. 

14. How to contact us 

Please send all privacy policy-related communications to privacy@monolake.org or the Mono Lake Committee, Attn: Privacy, P.O. Box 29, Lee Vining, CA 93541. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to receive all legally required notices regarding this privacy policy or any privacy or security breaches relating to the website at the email address you have provided to us through the website. As always, if you have questions, you can call us at (760) 647-6595.