Terms of Service

Last updated: May 18, 2026

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the EcoQuest Foundation website, educational games, EcoChallenges, events, volunteer programs, donation flows, and any related digital resources (collectively, the "Services"). By using any part of the Services, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please discontinue use.

About EcoQuest Foundation

EcoQuest Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity (EIN 33-4376241) dedicated to empowering K-12 students through environmental education, interactive learning games, community conservation events, and youth-led service programs. Our Services are designed to be free, accessible, and safe for learners, families, educators, and partner organizations.

Educational Content and Accuracy

Our games, articles, lesson resources, and challenge materials are provided strictly for educational and informational purposes. We make reasonable efforts to keep content accurate and current, but environmental data, scientific research, regulations, and local guidelines change continuously. The Services are not a substitute for professional scientific, legal, medical, or safety advice. Always follow current official guidance from local agencies, schools, and qualified experts.

Events, EcoChallenges, and In-Person Activities

Participation in EcoQuest events, cleanups, EcoChallenges, and partner activities is voluntary. Participants agree to follow event instructions, act in good faith, treat other participants and the environment respectfully, and prioritize their own personal safety at all times. Outdoor activities such as beach cleanups, planting events, and field surveys carry inherent risks (weather, terrain, wildlife, sun exposure). You are responsible for assessing whether an activity is appropriate for you, and for using appropriate protective equipment.

Participants under the age of 18 must have permission from a parent, legal guardian, school, or supervising organization, and must be accompanied or supervised as required by the event organizer. EcoQuest Foundation reserves the right to modify, postpone, or cancel any event or challenge for safety, weather, capacity, or operational reasons.

Donations

EcoQuest Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and donations made to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by U.S. law. Donations support our educational programs, conservation events, scholarship support, technology infrastructure, and operating expenses. Donation processing is handled by third-party payment processors with their own terms and privacy practices, and we do not store full payment card details on our website.

Donations are generally non-refundable. If you believe a donation was made in error, please contact us within 30 days and we will work with you in good faith to resolve it.

Intellectual Property

All content on the EcoQuest Foundation website—including text, illustrations, photographs, game artwork, lesson plans, code, and the EcoQuest name and logo—is owned by or licensed to EcoQuest Foundation and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Educators, students, and partner organizations are welcome to reference and share our public educational content with appropriate attribution. Commercial reuse, resale, or republication without prior written permission is not permitted.

User Submissions

When you submit information through forms, registrations, challenge entries, or feedback channels, you confirm that the information is accurate, that you have the right to share it, and that EcoQuest Foundation may use it to operate the Services and to share anonymized, aggregated impact stories. Do not submit content that is unlawful, harmful, defamatory, or that infringes another person's rights.

Acceptable Use

You agree not to misuse the Services. Prohibited activities include attempting to gain unauthorized access to our systems, interfering with site availability, scraping the Services in a way that disrupts other users, submitting false or misleading information, impersonating others, or using EcoQuest Foundation content in ways that are deceptive, harmful, or commercially exploitative.

Third-Party Links and Services

The Services may link to third-party websites, social media accounts, or partner programs that are not operated by EcoQuest Foundation. We are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of third-party sites. Review their terms and privacy policies before sharing information with them.

Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability

The Services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, express or implied. To the maximum extent permitted by law, EcoQuest Foundation, its directors, volunteers, and partners are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of the Services or participation in events. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations, so portions of this section may not apply to you.

Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our programs, technology, or legal requirements. The "Last updated" date above indicates when the Terms were most recently revised. Continued use of the Services after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, United States, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in California.

Contact

Questions about these Terms can be sent through our contact form or emailed to ecoquestfoundation@gmail.com.