1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Walton Toad Patrol. By accessing and using this website, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement. If you do not agree to abide by the above, please do not use this service.

These Terms of Use constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Walton Toad Patrol regarding your use of the website and all services provided through waltontoadpatrol.co.uk.

2. Purpose and Mission

Walton Toad Patrol is a volunteer conservation organization dedicated to:

• Protecting amphibians during their annual migration season
• Raising awareness about local wildlife conservation
• Coordinating volunteer patrols to safely relocate toads and other amphibians
• Collecting and sharing data about local amphibian populations
• Providing educational resources about UK amphibian species

3. User Accounts and Registration

3.1 Account Creation

To participate as a volunteer or submit sighting reports, you may need to create an account. When creating an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Keep your password secure and confidential
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access

3.2 Volunteer Requirements

Volunteers must:

• Be 18 years or older (under 18 with parental/guardian consent and supervision)
• Complete any required training or orientation sessions
• Follow safety guidelines and patrol protocols
• Respect wildlife and handle amphibians according to best practices
• Act responsibly and represent the organization positively

3.3 Account Suspension

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms, engage in inappropriate behavior, or compromise the safety of volunteers or wildlife.

4. User Conduct and Responsibilities

4.1 Acceptable Use

You agree to use this website and services only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree NOT to:

• Submit false, misleading, or inaccurate information
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Harass, threaten, or harm other users or volunteers
• Upload malicious code, viruses, or harmful content
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to systems or data
• Use the website for commercial purposes without permission
• Scrape, harvest, or collect user data without consent
• Interfere with the proper functioning of the website

4.2 Content Submission

When submitting sighting reports, photos, or other content, you agree that:

• Content is accurate to the best of your knowledge
• You own or have permission to share submitted content
• Content does not violate any laws or third-party rights
• We may use submitted data for conservation research and statistics
• Photos may be used for educational or promotional purposes with attribution

5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1 Website Content

All content on this website, including text, graphics, logos, images, videos, and software, is the property of Walton Toad Patrol or its content suppliers and is protected by UK and international copyright laws.

5.2 License to Use

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the website for personal, non-commercial purposes related to conservation and volunteering.

5.3 User-Generated Content

By submitting content to the website, you grant Walton Toad Patrol a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, reproduce, modify, and display the content for conservation, educational, and promotional purposes.

6. Wildlife and Safety Disclaimer

6.1 Wildlife Handling

Important: Handling amphibians and participating in patrol activities involves inherent risks. By participating, you acknowledge that:

• You assume all risks associated with volunteer activities
• You will follow safety guidelines and best practices
• You are physically capable of participating in patrols
• You will not hold Walton Toad Patrol liable for injuries or accidents

6.2 Road Safety

Patrols often take place near roads and in low-light conditions. Volunteers must:

• Wear high-visibility clothing at all times
• Use torches and stay alert to traffic
• Never compromise personal safety for wildlife rescue
• Follow all traffic laws and patrol coordinator instructions

6.3 Weather Conditions

Patrols occur in various weather conditions. Volunteers should assess their own comfort and safety and are free to decline participation in adverse conditions.

7. Data Usage and Privacy

Your use of this website is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

7.1 Sighting Data

Location and sighting data submitted through the website may be:

• Used for conservation research and analysis
• Shared with wildlife conservation organizations
• Published in aggregate form (without personal identification)
• Used to generate public statistics and reports

7.2 Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies as described in our Cookie Policy.

8. Third-Party Services

This website integrates with third-party services including but not limited to:

• OpenWeatherMap API - Weather data for migration assessments
• What3Words - Location addressing and coordinate conversion
• Leaflet.js / OpenStreetMap - Interactive mapping services
• Social Media Platforms - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Use of these services is subject to their respective terms and privacy policies. We are not responsible for third-party content or services.

9. Limitation of Liability

9.1 Website Availability

We strive to keep the website available and accurate but cannot guarantee continuous, uninterrupted, or error-free service. We are not liable for:

• Service interruptions or downtime
• Loss of data or content
• Technical errors or bugs
• Unauthorized access or security breaches

9.2 Volunteer Activities

Disclaimer: Walton Toad Patrol is not liable for injuries, accidents, property damage, or losses incurred during volunteer activities. Participation is entirely voluntary and at your own risk.

9.3 Information Accuracy

While we strive for accuracy, we make no warranties about the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of information provided. Species identification, weather data, and migration assessments are provided for guidance only.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Walton Toad Patrol, its volunteers, partners, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your violation of these Terms of Use
• Your use of the website or services
• Your participation in volunteer activities
• Your submission of inaccurate or harmful content
• Your violation of any rights of another party

11. Links to External Websites

This website contains links to external websites including:

• Surrey Wildlife Trust
• RSPCA
• Wikipedia
• Other conservation organizations

We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or terms of external websites. Links are provided for convenience and do not imply endorsement.

12. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Use at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the website. Your continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

Material changes will be communicated through:

• Email notification to registered users
• Prominent notice on the website homepage
• Updated "Last Modified" date at the top of this page

13. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account and access to the website immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including but not limited to:

• Breach of these Terms of Use
• Fraudulent or illegal activity
• Endangering volunteers or wildlife
• Harassment or inappropriate conduct
• Request by law enforcement or regulatory authorities

Upon termination, your right to use the website will immediately cease.

14. Governing Law

These Terms of Use shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of the website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that the Terms will otherwise remain in full force and effect.

16. Entire Agreement

These Terms of Use, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Walton Toad Patrol regarding use of the website and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

17. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms of Use, please contact us: