This law school casebook helps instruct students on natural resources law. It is also intended to show students the challenges of managing natural resources policy. Starting with the theories behind the law, the book examines all aspects of resource disputes, including economic, scientific, political, and ethical considerations. It explores the challenges presented by common pool resources, scientific uncertainty, mismatched scale, market failures, and institutional adequacy. It also considers resource law and management of both public lands and private property.

The book covers the broadest range of natural resources and considers resource law and management on both public lands and private property. Adopters include Duke, Emory, George Mason, Harvard, Iowa, Marquette, NYU, North Carolina, U.C.L.A., Willamette, and William & Mary.