The course will involve an in-depth study of the complex body of laws by which we protect or regulate wildlife, including laws that protect ecosystems and the habitats in which wild animals live. The course will provide an overview of wildlife common law history, and will address wildlife-specific federal laws and their accompanying regulations, including the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and similar state law schemes, including that of Maryland. The course will also cover federal and state civil and criminal enforcement, as well as emerging and constitutional issues that arise in wildlife cases. The goal will be to provide a broad understanding of the interface of law, science and policy in protecting natural ecosystems.