OFFICIAL RULES | Monarch Butterfly Scholarship Grant Contest
SPONSOR: The Monarch Butterfly Scholarship Grant Contest (the “Contest”) is sponsored by Natural Habitat Adventures (“NHA” or “Sponsor”), located at PO Box 3065, Boulder, CO 80307.
ELIGIBILITY: The Scholarship Contest is open to environmental educators who are at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of entry and are legal residents of the United States of America (“Applicant”). The Contest is not open to the general public. Residents of Puerto Rico and U.S. territories are not eligible. Environmental education is defined as the study of how natural environments function, including but not limited the subjects of biology; zoology; entomology; ecology; geology; climate science; climate change; conservation; resource management; sustainability; environmental restoration; agriculture; and more. Environmental educators include but are not limited to the following professions: preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school teachers; college professors or faculty; outdoor educators; museum curators; nonprofit outreach specialists; authors; and anyone working in the field of environmental education. Members of the immediate families (defined as including spouse, biological, adoptive and step-parents, grandparents, siblings, children and grandchildren, and each of their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) or households (whether related or not) of NHA employees (collectively, the “Released Parties”), are NOT eligible to apply for the Scholarship Award (defined below).
AGREEMENT TO OFFICIAL RULES: By participating, Applicants agree to abide by and be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of NHA, which are final and binding in all matters relating to the Scholarship. Winning a Scholarship Award (as defined below) is contingent upon fulfilling all the following requirements.
TIMING: The Submission Period for the Scholarship Application is 12:00:01 a.m. MT on June 1, 2023 through 11:59:59 p.m. MT on September 3, 2023 (“Submission Period”). The Selection Period will take place from 12:00:01 a.m. MT on September 4, 2023 through October 16, 2023 (“Selection Period”). The Scholarship Winners will be contacted on or near October 30, 2023, and announced to the public shortly thereafter.
HOW TO ENTER THE CONTEST: Applicants have the opportunity to apply (enter the Contest) by visiting https://www.nathab.com/teacher-travel-scholarship-grant/ the “Website”) and filling out all required fields on the Application form (“Application”). Limit one (1) submitted Application per person.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS: In the event that more than one Application is submitted by an Applicant, only the first submission received will be considered. Applications must be received by NHA during the Submission Period. Applications received by NHA after the end of the Submission Period will not be accepted. Applicants who do not follow all of the instructions, do not provide the required information in their Application form, or do not abide by these Official Rules or other instructions of NHA may be disqualified. Your Application submission constitutes your representation of eligibility, consent to participate in the Scholarship and consent for NHA to obtain, use, and transfer your name, contact information, submission materials and other information for the purpose of Scholarship administration.
By submitting an Application, each Applicant irrevocably: 1) grants NHA non-exclusive right to use, publish, and modify the content in their submitted Application for use in NHA’s promotional materials, without further permission, consideration or payment to the Applicant; 2) warrants and represents that the content in their submitted Application is entirely their own original work; and 3) certifies that the Applicant is the creator and sole copyright owner of the content in the submitted Application.
VIDEO SUBMISSION RULES & GUIDELINES
• Video must be original, meaning you may only submit a video that you created and for which you own the copyright
• Video may be vertically or horizontally oriented
• Video must not be more than two (2) minutes in length
• Video must be submitted in .mov, .mp4, or .wav format
GENERAL CONDITIONS: If for any reason the operation or administration of this Contest is impaired or incapable of running as planned for any reason, including but not limited to: (a) infection by computer virus, bugs; (b) tampering, unauthorized intervention; (c) fraud; (d) technical failures; or (e) any other causes of the Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Contest, the Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest in whole or in part, at any time, without notice and award the applicable Scholarship Award (defined below) using all non-suspect eligible entries received as of, or after (if applicable) this cancellation, termination, modification or suspension date, or in any manner that is fair and equitable and best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules. Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual deemed to be (a) tampering or attempting to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or Sponsor’s Website; or (b) acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner.
CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Failure by the Sponsor to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a winner based on an email address, the winning entry will be declared to be the authorized account holder of the email address in question submitted at time of entry. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational, institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address.
RELEASE AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: By participating in the Contest, Applicants agree to release and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) any technical errors that may prevent an Applicant from submitting an entry; (b) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (c) printing errors; (d) errors in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (e) injury, death, or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from Applicant’s participation in the Contest or receipt of the Scholarship Award. Sponsor assume no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries. Sponsor are not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or telephone lines, computer online systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any email or entry to be received by Sponsor on account of technical problems, human error or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Website, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to the Applicant’s or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participation in this Contest or downloading any materials in this Contest. The Applicants further agree that in any cause of action, the Sponsor’s liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the Sponsor be liable for attorney’s fees. Applicant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages. For New Jersey Residents: nothing herein bars recovery of damages or attorneys’ fees where mandated by statute.
Except as expressly provided above, IN NO EVENT WILL RELEASED PARTIES BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES) ARISING OUT OF PARTICIPATION IN THIS CONTEST OR THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE, OR MISUSE OF, OR ANY HARM RESULTING FROM THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE OR MISUSE OF THE AWARD.
By participating, Applicants release and agree to hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all liability for any injuries, death or losses or damages to persons or property AS WELL AS CLAIMS/ACTIONS BASED ON PUBLICITY RIGHTS, DEFAMATION, AND/OR INVASION OF PRIVACY that may arise from participating in this Contest or its related activities or the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of, or any harm resulting from the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the Award. Released Parties are not liable in the event that any portion of the Contest is cancelled due to weather, fire, strike, acts of war or terrorism, pandemic, or any other condition beyond their control.
EACH APPLICANT UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT ALL RIGHTS UNDER SECTION 1542 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF CALIFORNIA AND ANY SIMILAR LAW OF ANY STATE OR TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVED BY HIM/HER. SECTION 1542 READS AS FOLLOWS:
“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.”
WINNER DETERMINATION/NOTIFICATION: Selection Period: Following the conclusion of the Submission Period, NHA will begin the Selection Period. During the Selection Period, each Application will be reviewed by a qualified judge or panel of judges appointed by NHA. Each Application will be judged based on the following criteria:
• Educational Audience & Reach (20%)
• Enthusiasm for Conservation (20%)
• Environmental Education Experience (20%)
• Potential for Integrating Lessons Learned into Curriculum or Outreach (20%)
• Overall Impression (20%)
The two (2) Applicants who receive the highest score based on the Judges’ review will be deemed the potential Monarch Butterfly Scholarship Grant Winners (“Winner”). The potential Winners will be contacted by NHA via phone and/or email by October 30, 2023 or shortly thereafter.
AWARDS & AWARD CONDITIONS: There will be two (2) Monarch Butterfly Scholarship Grants awarded. Each Winner, upon NHA’s confirmation of eligibility, will receive a 6 day/5 night trip for one (1) person on the NHA’s Kingdom of the Monarchs tour starting and ending in Mexico City, Mexico (“Scholarship Award” or “Award”). The tour starts on January 14, 2024 and ends on January 19, 2024. The Scholarship Award package includes:
• One (1) roundtrip standard economy airfare ticket from a major commercial airport in the United States, near the Winner’s primary residence to Mexico City, Mexico (ticket must be booked by the NHA Travel Desk);
• Accommodations for five (5) nights in a shared twin*;
• All food and meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on the final day;
• Some alcoholic beverages;
• Services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s);
• Airport transfers on Day 1 and final day;
• All activities and entrance fees;
• All taxes, permits and service fees;
• Most gratuities.
The Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) of the Scholarship Award package is $5,495 USD, which will vary depending upon points of departure and seasonal fluctuation of rates and airfares. All other expenses not specifically mentioned herein, including but not limited to, travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), required medical evacuation insurance and optional travel protection insurance, are the responsibility of the Scholarship Winners. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute the Scholarship Award with another prize of greater or equal value.
NHA is not responsible for any cancellations, delays, diversions or substitutions or any act or omissions whatsoever by the airline, hotels or other transportation companies. NHA shall not be liable for any loss or damage to baggage and/or personal property. All travel dates are subject to change at NHA’s sole discretion. If actual value of the Scholarship Award package is lower than the stated ARV when Award is procured and fulfilled, then the difference will not be awarded.
*The Scholarship Winners must be willing to share a twin room with another traveler of the same gender. NHA will plan to match each Winner with a roommate of the same gender. If NHA is unable to find a roommate match for one or both Winners, the Winner(s) will stay in a single room and will not be charged a single supplement fee.
Winners must be able to travel from January 14, 2024 through January 19, 2024 or the Scholarship Award will be forfeited. Winners must sign and agree to NHA’s Terms & Conditions.
The two (2) potential Winners will each be notified by phone and/or email. In order to claim his/her Scholarship Award each must sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability & Publicity Release and return it to NHA within seven (7) days of the date of notification. Note: The Affidavit sent to a potential Winner will require that the Winner provide their Social Security Number to the Administrator, which will be used solely for tax reporting purposes. Each Winner will be responsible for all local, state, and federal taxes associated with the receipt of the Scholarship Award. The Winners must note that the value of their accepted Award is taxable as income and an IRS Form 1099 will be filed in the name of each Winner for the value of the Award.
The Winners are responsible for obtaining documents necessary for their respective international travel (i.e. passport), if applicable. The Winners are solely responsible for all matters relating to their Scholarship Award after it is awarded. If a potential Winner cannot be reached or does not comply with notification instructions within three (3) business days from the first notification attempt, or if the potential Winner fails to return the required document(s) within the specified time period, or if a potential Winner is not in compliance with these Official Rules, then the potential Winner shall be disqualified and, at NHA’s sole discretion, an alternate Winner may be selected for the Scholarship Award.
By accepting the Scholarship Award, the Winners grant NHA the right to print, publish, and/or broadcast a Winner’s full name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness and/or biographical information for advertising, trade and promotional purposes without further payment or additional consideration, and without review, approval or notification.
USE OF DATA: All information submitted by Applicants will be treated according to NHA’s privacy policies, available at http://www.nathab.com/privacy-policy/.
DISPUTES: By submitting an Application, applicants agree that (1) Any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Scholarship Grant, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (2) Any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with applying for the Scholarship Grant but in no event attorneys' fees; and (3) Under no circumstances will any Applicant be permitted to obtain any award for, and Applicant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of Colorado without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Colorado. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these Official Rules shall otherwise remain in effect and be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein. The values of the Award set forth above represents NHA’s good faith determinations of the ARV thereof and such determinations are final and binding and cannot be appealed.
SEVERABILITY: The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. If any provision of the Official Rules is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, the other provisions will remain in effect and will be construed as if the invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.
MISCELLANEOUS: These Official Rules contain the full and complete understanding with respect to the Contest and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, and understandings, whether oral or written. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of these Official Rules, and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. No amendment to, or waiver of, any provision of these Official Rules shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both Sponsor and Administrator. The waiver by Sponsor or Administrator of any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of any other provision herein. The rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned by Applicant, whether by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Sponsor, and any attempted assignment in violation of the foregoing shall be null and void. These Official Rules shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the permitted successors and assigns of Sponsor, Administrator, and Applicant.
WINNERS LIST REQUEST: To request confirmation of the first name, last initial city, and state of residence of each Winner, please send a self-addressed, stamped business size envelope, by December 25, 2023 to: ASC/NHA “Grant” Contest Winners List Request, 300 State St., Suite 402, Rochester, NY 14614.
