Gratis Books Scheme
The aim of this scheme is to provide ecology and conservation books to those from outside Western Europe, North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand who would otherwise be unable to obtain them. The simple purpose of this scheme is to spread ecological knowledge as widely as possible.
This scheme is a collaboration between the British Ecological Society (who pay for the postage), NHBS (who co-ordinate and organise the distribution) and the publishers (Oxford University Press, Wiley-Blackwell, Cambridge University Press) and authors of the books (who provide the books for free). We plan to provide a number of books per year. They will usually be distributed three months after the book has been published. Individuals may request the book for themselves or suggest the book for others. It is likely that some of these schemes will be oversubscribed: all applications will be considered together and the available copies will then be awarded to those considered most able to benefit from them.
Over 5,000 books have been donated to 137 countries. The number of recipients per country for each book can be viewed here. The first title to be distributed under the Gratis Books Scheme was William J Sutherland's Conservation Handbook.
We regret that gratis books are not available to students currently doing degrees in Western Europe, North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. They are also not available to those from Western Europe, North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand but currently working outside those areas.
Gratis Scheme Titles
Primate Ecology and Conservation A handbook of techniques.
Conservation of Wildlife Populations Demography, Genetics and Management.
Conservation and the Genetics of Populations
Biodiversity Conservation and Poverty Alleviation Exploring the Evidence for a Link.
Carnivore Ecology and Conservation A handbook of techniques.
Marine Mammal Ecology and Conservation A handbook of techniques.
Invasive Species Management A handbook of techniques.
Remote Sensing for Ecology and Conservation A handbook of techniques.
Insect Conservation A handbook of approaches and methods.
Amphibian Ecology and Conservation A handbook of techniques.
Habitat Management for Conservation A handbook of techniques.
Forest Ecology and Conservation A handbook of techniques.
Bird Ecology and Conservation A handbook of techniques.
View recipients by country
The Conservation Handbook Research, Managament & Policy
View recipients by country
Many of the above titles belong to the Techniques in Ecology and Conservation series. Oxford University Press have offered to provide 200 copies (and often 100 copies with each reprint) of each new volume in this major series.
Titles which have featured in the Gratis Books Scheme include:
Analysis of Variance and CovarianceEcological Census Techniques (View recipients by country)
Conservation and Sustainable Use
Conservation Education and Outreach Techniques (View recipients by country)
