Privacy Policy

HMS Stewards Privacy Policy

Last Updated: February 23, 2026

At Headwaters & Marine Stewards (HMS), we believe privacy is a fundamental right. We have designed our online presence to be as non-invasive as possible. We do not want to harvest your data; we want to provide you with the tools for stewardship.

1. Our “No Tracking” & Privacy-First Guarantee

  • No Third-Party Analytics: We do not use Google Analytics, Meta Pixels, or any other third-party surveillance tools to track your behavior across the web.
  • Minimal Functional Technologies: We only use functional cookies and local browser storage necessary for the website to operate. This includes keeping you logged into your course dashboard, remembering your shopping cart, or saving your preferred layout settings (such as dark mode or grid views). These tools are strictly for your user experience and are never used for marketing or profiling.

2. Information We Collect

We only collect information that you voluntarily provide to us to facilitate your membership and education, along with minimal technical data required for security:

  • Account & Student Data: When you register for a course, we collect your name and email address to create your login and track your progress so you can earn certificates.
  • Technical Infrastructure Logs: To ensure our website remains fast and secure, our hosting and Content Delivery Network (CDN) providers automatically log limited technical information, such as your IP address and browser type. This data is used solely for security monitoring (e.g., preventing DDoS attacks) and is cleared regularly.
  • Payment Processing: To ensure the highest level of security, we do not store your credit card information on our servers.
    • Stripe: Used for direct credit/debit card processing.
    • PayPal: Offered for your convenience and trust. Both providers share only the minimum transaction details with us (such as your name and the amount paid) to confirm your enrollment.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your data strictly for:

  • Providing access to the HMS Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Sending essential account notifications (receipts, course updates, or renewal reminders).
  • Responding to your direct inquiries.

4. Data Sharing & Third Parties

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. To provide a high-performance experience for our programs, we only share data with essential service providers who are contractually bound to protect your privacy:

  • Payment Gateways (Stripe/PayPal): To securely handle your course fees. We never see or store your full financial details.
  • Educational Platform (LMS): To store your account and course progress data securely so you can earn certificates.
  • Infrastructure Partners: We use trusted hosting and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to serve our website assets (like our CSS and media) quickly and securely. These providers may process your IP address for security purposes but are prohibited from using your data for their own marketing.
  • Email Communication: We use a secure service to send essential account notifications. You will not receive marketing emails unless you have specifically opted in.

5. Your Rights

You own your data. At any time, you may contact us to request a copy of the data we hold or to request that we delete your account and all associated student records.

6. Contact Us

Headwaters & Marine Stewards Email: david@hmstewards.org

Website: https://hmstewards.org

EIN: 41-2696973