Last Modified: 02 January 2026
**1. Introduction**
Wild Bird Trust ("WBT", "we", "us" or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use and protect personal information when you visit our website, www.wildbirdtrust.com, contact us, subscribe to our newsletter, make a donation or otherwise interact with us online.
We handle personal information responsibly and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA), where applicable.
By using our website or providing us with your personal information, you acknowledge the practices described in this policy.
**2. Information We Collect**
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us. The information we collect depends on how you interact with WBT.
This may include:
**Website enquiries**
When you complete a contact form on our website, we may collect your name, email address and any other information you choose to include in your message.
We use this information solely to respond to your enquiry or make contact with you in relation to your request. We do not automatically add contact-form submissions to our mailing lists or use them for marketing purposes.
**Newsletter subscriptions**
If you choose to subscribe to our newsletter, we collect your name and email address.
Newsletter subscriber information is stored and managed through Mailchimp, our third-party email marketing service provider. We use this information to send newsletters and updates about WBT's work. You may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link included in our emails.
**Donations**
WBT accepts donations through electronic funds transfer (EFT) and third-party payment providers, including Yoco, PayPal, Payfast and SnapScan.
Providing your contact details when making a donation is voluntary. We will only use the contact information you provide to contact you where you have given us permission to do so.
Payment information is handled by the relevant payment provider or financial institution. These providers may collect, process and retain information necessary to complete and manage transactions. WBT does not store donors' full payment card or banking details.
**Website usage information**
When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically by our website hosting provider or through website functionality. This may include your IP address, browser type, device information and pages visited.
The collection of this information depends on the website technologies and services in use. Where applicable, this information is used for website operation, security and performance.
**3. How We Use Personal Information**
WBT collects and uses personal information only where necessary for legitimate organisational purposes or where you have given your consent.
These purposes may include:
Responding to enquiries and requests.
Sending newsletters to people who have subscribed.
Processing and acknowledging donations where contact details and permission have been provided.
Managing website functionality and security.
Meeting applicable legal and administrative obligations.
We do not sell personal information or use contact-form submissions or donor contact details for unsolicited marketing.
**4. Sharing of Personal Information**
WBT does not sell, rent or trade personal information.
We may use third-party service providers to support our operations. These may include:
Mailchimp, for newsletter subscriptions and distribution.
Yoco, PayPal, Payfast and SnapScan, for processing donations.
Website hosting and technical service providers, for website operation and maintenance.
These providers may process or store information in accordance with their own privacy policies and applicable contractual arrangements.
Where required, WBT takes reasonable steps to ensure that third-party service providers handle personal information appropriately and securely.
We may also disclose personal information where required by law or where necessary to protect our legal rights.
**5. Photographs, Videos and Stories**
Photography, video and storytelling form an important part of WBT's conservation and community engagement work.
We obtain signed releases or permissions for the use of photographs and videos featuring identifiable individuals. These may include individual releases, group releases or parental or guardian releases for minors.
Subject to the permissions obtained, photographs, videos, names and stories may be used in WBT's communications, including:
- WBT websites and social media platforms.
- Publications, brochures and newsletters.
- Reports and presentations.
- Fundraising and awareness materials.
- Communications with project partners, supporters and funders.
- Media and other conservation-related communications.
We take care to respect the individuals and communities represented in our communications and to use images and stories in accordance with the permissions obtained.
**6. Children and Young People**
WBT works with children and young people through its conservation, education and community programmes.
Where photographs, videos or personal information relating to minors are collected for communication or publication purposes, appropriate parental or guardian permission is obtained through signed releases.
We take particular care when handling information relating to children and young people and aim to ensure that their privacy, dignity and best interests are respected.
**7. Cookies and Website Technologies**
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support its functionality, security and performance.
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They may help a website remember certain preferences and understand how visitors use its pages.
Some cookies may be provided by third-party services integrated into our website.
You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect how parts of the website function.
Where required by applicable law, we will seek consent before using non-essential cookies or tracking technologies.
**8. International Transfers of Information**
WBT works with service providers and partners who may operate in different countries.
Some personal information may therefore be processed or stored outside the country in which it was originally collected. This may include information held by third-party services such as Mailchimp and payment providers.
Where applicable, WBT takes reasonable steps to ensure that international transfers of personal information comply with relevant data protection requirements.
**9. How We Protect Personal Information**
WBT takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration or disclosure.
We work with relevant service providers to support the security of the information handled through our website and associated services.
However, no method of electronic storage or transmission over the internet can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
**10. Retention of Personal Information**
WBT does not retain personal information for longer than is necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
Contact-form information is used to respond to enquiries and is not maintained as a marketing database.
Newsletter subscriber information is managed through Mailchimp and retained until the subscriber unsubscribes or the information is otherwise removed in accordance with applicable requirements.
Payment and transaction records may be retained by the relevant payment providers or financial institutions in accordance with their own retention policies and legal obligations.
**11. Your Privacy Rights**
Subject to applicable data protection legislation, you may have the right to:
- Request access to personal information we hold about you.
- Request the correction or updating of inaccurate information.
- Request the deletion of personal information, where legally permissible.
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on your consent.
- Object to certain types of processing.
- Lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority.
If you are subscribed to our newsletter, you may unsubscribe at any time using the link provided in our emails.
To exercise your privacy rights or submit a privacy-related enquiry, please contact us using the details provided below.
**12. Third-Party Websites and Services**
Our website may contain links to external websites, social media platforms and other third-party services.
These websites and services operate independently of WBT and are governed by their own privacy policies and terms of use.
We encourage visitors to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites or services they access.
**13. Contact Us**
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, would like to access or correct personal information, or wish to raise a privacy-related concern, please contact Wild Bird Trust:
Website: www.wildbirdtrust.com
Email: marketing@wildbirdtrust.com
**14. Changes to This Privacy Policy**
WBT may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our activities, website functionality, service providers or applicable legislation.
Any updates will be published on this page, together with the revised date.
We encourage visitors to review this policy periodically.