Participant Agreement:
I recognize that participation in the EarthTrek program operated by The Geological Society of America, Inc., a New York not-for-profit corporation, is a special opportunity which requires that I conform to the highest standards of conduct while participating in EarthTrek projects. By clicking the button marked “I agree” at the bottom of this page, I am agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Participation Agreement and Code of Conduct. In exchange for the opportunity to participate in the EarthTrek program, I agree as follows: 1. I will adhere to the EarthTrek Code of Conduct while participating in EarthTrek projects. This means that whenever I participate in an EarthTrek project - I will carefully review and follow the instructions posted on the project Web page; I will comply with the laws, respect the customs, and obey the rules of the places I visit and will not enter any property unlawfully or without obtaining the necessary permissions. I will collect data at the highest possible standard using the equipment available to me and be careful to maintain accuracy in both data collection and logging. I will not collect any data, samples, specimens or other materials at an EarthTrek data collection site unless it is part of the project and I have all necessary permissions to do so. I will respect the integrity of each site I visit, and will not damage, desecrate, contaminate, litter, or have any other impact on the site except to the minimum extent necessary to collect the data, samples, specimens or other materials needed for the project. I will keep confidential and not disclose (except to EarthTrek) the location of the sites I visit, whether it is a site I have been directed to as part of the project, or a site I find as a result of visiting or looking for a potential EarthTrek data collection site. I will be courteous and respectful in my communications and dealings with others. 2. I have read and will be bound by the EarthTrek Web Site Terms of Use. 3. I have read and will be bound by the EarthTrek Privacy Policy. 4. I will not be compensated for my participation in any EarthTrek project. I will be responsible for all of the costs and expenses I incur in the course of participating in any EarthTrek project. 5. The information, data, samples, specimens, photographs, images and other materials I submit (and any comments, feedback, suggestions, or ideas I provide) in connection with an EarthTrek project (collectively, “my Submissions”) shall be and remain the exclusive property of The Geological Society of America, Inc. (“GSA”). By submitting my Submissions to EarthTrek (or any individual associated with a project), I am assigning to GSA all rights, title and interests in my Submissions, including all copyrights and other intellectual property rights in my Submissions. GSA will be entitled to reduce to practice, make, use, copy, disclose, display or perform publicly, distribute, improve and modify my Submissions for any purpose whatsoever, and permit others to do the same, without restriction, without compensating me in any way, and without attribution. GSA will have no obligation to keep my Submissions confidential, except that GSA will not disclose any of my personal information except as set forth in the EarthTrek Privacy Policy. I will not submit any information, data, materials, comments, feedback, suggestions or ideas to the EarthTrek program (or others associated with the project) unless I have the legal right to do so and to assign all rights, title and interests in them to GSA. 6. EarthTrek may remove me from participation in the EarthTrek program or any project at any time, for any or no reason, and all such decisions shall be final and may not be appealed.

 


LIABILITY RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION:
EarthTrek is a program developed and managed by The Geological Society of America, Inc., a New York not-for-profit corporation (“GSA”). Participating in EarthTrek projects presents risks to persons and property and involves varying degrees of physical exertion such as hiking, backpacking and other outdoor activities. Variables such as weather, terrain features, and hazards of politically unstable areas, fitness level and outdoor experience must be considered by each participant prior to undertaking an EarthTrek project, and EarthTrek participants (“EarthTrekkers”) are expected to prepare themselves for their participation, determine their own physical conditioning and suitability for a given project and check the current weather and other environmental conditions before heading outdoors or engaging in any EarthTrek activity. EarthTrekkers participate voluntarily in EarthTrek activities and are never required to participate against their judgment or wishes. At all times EarthTrekkers are expected to exercise common sense and caution, and to obey all local laws and customs. Having read, understood and accepted the terms of the foregoing paragraph, and in consideration for being permitted to participate in EarthTrek activities, I hereby agree to: determine for myself, based upon my own health and fitness level, on prevailing and/or predicted environmental and weather conditions, and on the physical demands of each EarthTrek project, whether I should undertake an EarthTrek project. assume full responsibility for the consequences of my own actions, including all risks of injury, death, property damage or other loss to myself or to any other person or entity that may result from or relate to my participation in EarthTrek activities. defend and indemnify GSA, its sponsors and partners, and scientists and other persons or organizations that associate with GSA to conduct the EarthTrek program, together with their respective agents, officers, directors, employees and administrators, from all liabilities arising out of my actions or inactions in connection with EarthTrek projects or activities. release GSA, its sponsors and partners, and scientists and other persons and organizations that associate with GSA to conduct the EarthTrek program, together with their respective agents, officers, directors, employees and administrators (the “Released Parties”) from all liability for injury, death, property damage or other losses resulting from or relating to my participation in EarthTrek projects or in any way connected with the use of this website or the information contained within. This release does not extend to liability for willful or malicious acts. I also agree that neither I nor my heirs will sue or make a claim against the Released Parties for any injuries, death, property damage or other loss resulting from or relating to my participation in EarthTrek activities.