Persistence of grassy biomes throughout the world is largely dependent upon fire. In many cases, the dominant land use of these regions is associated with agriculture, livestock production and wildlife management on private lands. I will describe four Socio-ecological eras of fire in North America: 1. Coexistence era (Approximately 20,000- years ago), Suppression era (150 years ago -present), Shadow era (the past 70 years), Wildfire era (the future). Understanding these socio-ecological perspectives is critical to conservation of these landscapes in the context of private land owners as we move into the Anthropocene.
