He describes his teaching as the most rewarding aspect of his position and strives for an “interactive and experiential learning environment.” Students feel fortunate to work with Litton, and feel their education has been positively impacted by his mentorship, his research and the assistance he provides each student to meet their own aspirations at the highest level. Litton has generated grants that fund programs that simultaneously support conservation and sustainable management of native Hawaiian terrestrial ecosystems on Hawaii Island and provide education and inspiration to traditionally underprivileged and underrepresented youth. A colleague observed of having appreciation for how deeply committed Litton is to “education and outreach, the mission of university and meeting the needs of conservation and land management professionals in Hawaiʻi.”