Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 8, 2026

Friends of Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, Inc. (“Friends of Tennessee NWR,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and safeguard information when you visit our website at friendstnwr.org (the “Site”) or interact with our organization.

By using the Site, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

Information We Collect

We collect two general types of information: information you provide to us directly, and information that is collected automatically when you use the Site.

Information You Provide to Us

We collect information you voluntarily share with us, such as when you:

Make a donation or become a member
Sign up for our newsletter or mailing list
Register for an event or program
Contact us by email, phone, or through the Site
Volunteer with the Friends Group
Purchase merchandise from the Blue Heron Bookstore

This information may include your name, address, email address, phone number, payment information processed by a secure third-party payment provider, and any other information you choose to provide.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the Site, we and the services we use may automatically collect certain technical information, including:

Your IP address and approximate geographic location
Browser type and version, device type, and operating system
Pages you visit, the date and time of your visit, and how you navigated to and through the Site
Referring website addresses

This information is collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies. We use this data to understand how visitors use the Site so we can improve it.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for legitimate, nonprofit purposes, including to:

Process donations, memberships, and merchandise purchases
Send receipts, acknowledgments, and tax documentation
Send newsletters, event announcements, and program updates only if you have opted in
Respond to your questions, comments, or volunteer inquiries
Improve the content, functionality, and accessibility of the Site
Comply with legal obligations, including nonprofit reporting requirements

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

The Site uses cookies, small text files stored on your device, and similar technologies to remember your preferences, understand how the Site is used, and improve your experience. You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of some features of the Site.

We may also use analytics services such as Google Analytics, which collect anonymized data about how visitors use the Site. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

How We Share Information

Friends of Tennessee NWR does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share information only in the following limited circumstances:

With trusted third-party service providers who help us operate the Site, process donations, send email, or manage our database, such as our donor management platform and email service provider. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes for which we engage them.
With the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service or refuge staff when necessary to coordinate volunteer activities, events, or programs you have signed up for.
When required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Friends of Tennessee NWR, our supporters, or others.

Donor Information

Friends of Tennessee NWR is committed to honoring the trust our donors place in us. We do not sell, exchange, or rent donor information to other organizations. Donor records are kept confidential and used only for the purposes of acknowledging gifts, providing tax receipts, and communicating about the work the donor is supporting.

Donors may request to be removed from our communications list at any time by contacting us using the information provided below.

Children’s Privacy

The Site is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through the Site. Children may participate in refuge programs such as Earth Camp; in those cases, information is collected directly from a parent or guardian as part of program registration, separate from the Site.

If you believe we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13 through the Site, please contact us so we can promptly delete it.

Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the information we hold. Payment information is processed by secure, PCI-compliant third-party payment processors and is not stored on our Site.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, and you provide your information at your own risk.

Links to Other Sites

The Site contains links to external websites, including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Blue Heron Bookstore at shopfriendstnwr.com, our donor platform, and social media platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before sharing personal information with them.

Your Choices and Rights

You have the right to:

Access, update, or correct the personal information we hold about you
Unsubscribe from our newsletters or other communications at any time; each email contains an unsubscribe link
Request that we delete your personal information, subject to legal and recordkeeping obligations
Ask questions about how your information is used

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information below. We will respond within a reasonable time frame.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will update the “Effective Date” at the top of this page. We encourage you to review the policy periodically.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact us:

Friends of Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
1371 Wildlife Drive
Springville, TN 38256
Phone: 731-642-2091
Email: info@friendstnwr.org