One of the greatest threats to Arizona grasslands is the suppression of fire. Fires clear away brush, kill invading shrubs and trees, stimulate new growth from the crowns of grasses and create a flush of annual and perennial forbs. Fire management in grasslands is an emergent field; however, land managers should incorporate the growing body of knowledge into grassland management plans and on-the-ground actions. Other threats include: inappropriate grazing practices, invasive, non-native plants, soil erosion, and construction including roads, buildings, and subdivisions.

Because little is still known about grassland ecology, land managers must make decisions when little or no information is available about the outcome. While this task may seem daunting, a strategy known as adaptive management has been successfully utilized. Managers employing adaptive management strategies continually monitor and evaluate the effects of an implements policy, and make necessary adjustments as needed.

The EMA Program seeks to educate the public about these landscapes, and develop collaborative partnerships between environmental organizations, governmental agencies, and private landowners to conserve and restore native Arizona grasslands.

EMA has published two documents that address grasslands. Please see the links to these documents along the left side of this page.