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), the NHBS Environment Bookstore (who co-ordinate and organise the distribution) and the publishers 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.

The first title to be distributed under the Gratis Books Scheme was William J Sutherland's Conservation Handbook. Over 3000 copies have been donated. The number of recipients per country can be viewed here.

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

Insect Conservation: A handbook of approaches and methods. Michael J Samways, Melodie A Mcgeoch and Timothy R New (Oxford University Press, 2009)

Invasive Species Management: A handbook of techniques. Edited by Michael Clout & Peter Williams (Oxford University Press, 2009)

Amphibian Ecology and Conservation: A handbook of techniques. Kenneth Dodd (Oxford University Press, 2009)

Habitat Management for Conservation: A handbook of techniques. Malcolm Ausden (Oxford University Press, 2007)

Forest Ecology and Conservation: A handbook of techniques. Adrian Newton (Oxford University Press, 2007)

Bird Ecology and Conservation: A handbook of techniques. Edited by William J. Sutherland, Ian Newton and Rhys E. Green (Oxford University Press, 2004) View recipients by country

The Conservation Handbook: Research, Magament & Policy William J. Sutherland (Blackwell Science, 2000) Offer now closed View recipients by country

The first five titles above belong to the Techniques in Ecology and Conservation series. Oxford University Press have undertaken to provide 200 copies (another 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 Covariance Ecological Census Techniques (View recipients by country) Conservation and Sustainable Use Conservation Education and Outreach Techniques (View recipients by country)