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Legal

Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 2026

Summary

  • We collect email addresses (newsletter) and anonymous analytics data.
  • We display ads via Google AdSense, which uses cookies to serve personalized ads.
  • You can opt out of personalized ads at any time.
  • We do not sell your personal information.
  • California and EU residents have additional rights — see Sections 8 and 12.

1. Introduction

BotanicalGardens.blog ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website located at botanicalgardens.blog (the "Site"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit the Site. Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of the Site. This policy was last updated on May 2026.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of information:

  • Email addresses — collected only when you voluntarily subscribe to our newsletter.
  • Usage data — page views, referral sources, browser type, device type, and approximate geographic location, collected automatically via our analytics provider.
  • Cookie and advertising data — collected automatically by Google AdSense and other third-party advertising partners (see Section 5 below).

We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at privacy@botanicalgardens.blog.

3. How We Use Your Information

  • To send the Garden Notes newsletter to subscribers who have explicitly opted in.
  • To analyze aggregate site usage and improve our content and user experience.
  • To serve relevant advertisements through Google AdSense and other advertising networks.
  • To comply with applicable legal obligations.

We do not sell, rent, or share your email address with third parties for their own marketing purposes.

4. Cookies

This Site uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — for the following purposes:

  • Analytics cookies — to understand how visitors interact with the Site (e.g., pages visited, time on site).
  • Advertising cookies — used by Google AdSense and its partners to serve ads relevant to your interests, based on your prior visits to this and other websites.
  • Functional cookies — to remember your preferences (e.g., search history stored in your browser's localStorage).

You can disable cookies in your browser settings at any time, though this may affect the functionality of the Site. You can also manage your cookie preferences using the cookie consent banner displayed on your first visit.

5. Google AdSense & Third-Party Advertising

This Site uses Google AdSense to display advertisements. Google AdSense uses the DoubleClick cookie and other tracking technologies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website and other websites on the internet. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to our Site and/or other sites on the Internet.

Third-party vendors and ad networks that may serve ads on this Site include:

These third parties may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect information about your use of the Site and other websites in order to provide you with relevant advertisements about goods and services.

Opt out of personalized advertising: You may opt out of Google's use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. Alternatively, you may opt out of third-party vendor cookies by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page or the Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out page.

6. Affiliate Links

This Site may contain affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not influence our editorial content or garden rankings. All affiliate links are clearly identified.

7. Data Retention

We retain your email address for as long as you remain subscribed to our newsletter. You may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link in any newsletter email, and your address will be removed from our list within 48 hours. Analytics data is retained in aggregate form and is not linked to individual users.

8. Your Privacy Rights (CCPA / GDPR)

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

  • Right to know — the categories of personal information we collect and how we use it.
  • Right to access — a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
  • Right to deletion — request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
  • Right to opt out — of the sale of your personal information (we do not sell personal information).
  • Right to non-discrimination — we will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

California residents (CCPA): You have the right to request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you, and to request deletion of your personal information. To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@botanicalgardens.blog.

EU/EEA residents (GDPR): You have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing of, and port your personal data. You also have the right to object to processing and to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

9. Do Not Track

Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want your online activity tracked. This Site does not currently respond to DNT signals, as there is no industry standard for how to interpret them. You may use the opt-out mechanisms described in Section 5 to limit interest-based advertising.

10. External Links

This Site contains links to external websites, including official garden websites and reference sources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect the most recent revision. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of the Site after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

For privacy-related questions, data access requests, or to exercise your rights under CCPA or GDPR, please contact us at: privacy@botanicalgardens.blog.