Overview
Should the federal government sell some of the land it owns? Who manages land better—the government or private owners? John Stossel examines the debate over federal land ownership. This video challenges students to weigh the trade-offs between conservation, economic development, housing costs, and government debt as they consider who should own and manage America's vast public lands.

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Grade level and subjects
• Recommended for grades 6-12
• Subjects: Science / Technology and Government
• Works in Classroom, Hybrid, and Homeschool settings

What students will learn
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• identify the key arguments for and against selling federal land to private owners, states, or tribes;
• explain how incentives affect the way land is managed by government versus private owners;
• analyze the trade-offs involved in federal land ownership, including housing costs, wildfire management, and national debt; and
• evaluate the competing claims made in the video using evidence and reasoning.

Key concepts and terms covered
Biodiversity, Bureau of Land Management, Ecosystem, Incentive, Multiple Use Land, Property Rights, and Tragedy of the Commons.

Sample discussion questions
• According to the video, how much of the United States is owned by the federal government?
• Why might private owners manage land differently than federal agencies? How do incentives shape behavior?
• Opponents argue that private owners might exploit land for logging or mining. How does this concern relate to incentives and property rights?
• When government keeps land off the market, what costs does that impose on people who want housing or development? When government sells land, what costs might fall on others? How should policymakers weigh those competing claims?
• Who do you think should decide what happens to federal land—the federal government, state governments, local communities, or private buyers? Defend your answer.

What’s in the free teacher’s guide
This printable 22-page Teacher's Guide includes a lesson description, learning objectives, key vocabulary, a fill-in viewing guide with answer key, discussion and analysis questions, classroom activities, and the full video transcript.

Standards alignment
Aligned to state standards — use the SITC Standards Tool to match this video to the standards in your state.