Public Lands and Natural Resources Law studies the expansive body of federal and state constitutional provisions, statutes, rules, customs, and processes governing the ways individuals; corporations; and federal, state, and local governments interact with federal public lands, state lands, private lands, water, air, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources. In this course, we will study: (1) the history and status of U.S. federal public lands and the past and present conflicts governing those lands; (2) the laws and regulations governing national parks, national monuments, national forests, grazing lands, energy resources, wildlife, and other natural resources; and (3) ownership interests and rights relating to public and private lands and resources. In addition, the course will help students gain an appreciation of our relationship with the natural environment from cultural, historical, and economic perspectives in addition to a legal perspective.

*Please note that this course follows the Law School Academic Calendar which has a later grading deadline than the general UM calendar.