Privacy Policy

Chehalem Mountain Water Council ("the Council," "we," "us") respects your privacy and collects only the information we need to accept donations, send our newsletter, and run this website. This policy explains what we collect, why, and the choices you have.

This policy applies to savechehalemmountain.com and cmwater.org (the "Site"). Effective date: January 1, 2026.

Information we collect

We collect information in three ways.

  • Information you give us when you donate. Your name, email address, billing address, and payment details. Payment details are entered on the payment form and handled by our payment processor (see "Donations and payment processing" below); we do not see or store your full card number.

  • Information you give us when you join our mailing list. Your email address and, if you provide them, your name and any other details on the sign-up form. We also receive records of whether you open or click our emails.

  • Information collected automatically. When you visit the Site, we and our website host receive technical data such as your IP address, browser and device type, pages viewed, referring page, and the date and time of your visit.

If you contact us directly by email or through a form, we also keep the information you send so we can respond.

How we use your information

We use your information only to run the Council and this Site. Specifically, we use it to:

  • Process donations and send receipts and acknowledgments.

  • Send our newsletter and updates about our watershed work, events, and ways to get involved.

  • Respond to your questions and requests.

  • Keep the Site secure, understand how it is used, and improve it.

  • Meet legal, tax, and recordkeeping requirements.

We do not sell your personal information.

Donations and payment processing

Donations made through the Site are processed by Squarespace Payments, a service provided through Squarespace and its payment partners. When you donate, your payment information is entered into and handled by that service, under its own terms and privacy policy. The Council does not receive or store your full credit card or bank account number.

We receive the details of each donation (your name, contact information, donation amount, and date) so we can record your gift and send a receipt. Donor records are kept for as long as needed for our accounting, tax, and legal obligations.

Squarespace's privacy policy is available at squarespace.com/privacy.

Email list

We add you to our mailing list only when you sign up for it, or when you tell us you would like to receive updates. We use your email address to send news, event announcements, and occasional requests for support.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any email, or by contacting us at the address below. We will remove you promptly. Making a donation does not automatically add you to the mailing list.

Our emails are sent through Squarespace Email Campaigns, which receives your email address for that purpose only and may track whether emails are opened or clicked.

Cookies and analytics

The Site is built and hosted on Squarespace, which uses cookies and similar technologies to keep the Site working, keep it secure, and measure traffic. Squarespace collects basic analytics, such as which pages are visited and from what general location, to help us understand how people use the Site.

Most browsers let you block or delete cookies in their settings. If you do, parts of the Site, such as the donation form, may not work properly.

Sharing, retention, and security

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We share it only with:

  • Service providers that help us run the Site, process donations, and send email, such as Squarespace and its payment partners. They may use your information only to provide those services.

  • Authorities or other parties when required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of the Council or others.

We keep personal information only as long as we need it for the purposes above or to meet legal and accounting requirements. Mailing list information is kept until you unsubscribe.

We use reasonable safeguards to protect your information, and donation payments are handled over encrypted connections. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your choices, children, changes, and contact

Your choices. You may ask us to tell you what personal information we hold about you, to correct it, or to delete it, and you may opt out of emails at any time. Contact us using the details below and we will respond within a reasonable time. Some donation records must be kept to meet tax and legal requirements.

Children. The Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has given us information, contact us and we will delete it.

Third-party links. The Site may link to other websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices, so please review their policies.

Changes to this policy. We may update this policy from time to time. The effective date at the top shows when it was last revised, and changes take effect when posted on the Site.

Contact us. Chehalem Mountain Water Council, kheng@cmwater.org