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Robert Littiken

Kankakee Sands Project Manager

Brief Biography

Feeling sand between your toes or slipping through your fingers are usually sensations reserved for memories of the beach.

However, The Nature Conservancy’s Robert Littiken is instead reminded of his childhood spent climbing the sandy dunes of Indiana. And now, instead of climbing the dunes, he’s protecting them, along with many other ecosystems at the Kankakee Sands Preserve in Illinois.

Growing up in Indiana allowed Robert many opportunities to explore the natural world around him. His curiosity about nature led him to Purdue University, where he received his Bachelors of Science.

In 1998 a new conservation project began near Robert’s home in Indiana. Little did he know this project, the restoration of the Kankakee Sands, would later become the basis of his career with The Nature Conservancy.

Though just a volunteer at the time, Robert worked hard to plant native grasses and wildflowers and remove invasives. Here he discovered the rare black oak savanna ecosystem that is the center of his career today.

As project manager of the Illinois Kankakee Sands conservation project, Robert works alongside his team to protect a variety of ecosystems. Together they have restored nearly 200 acres of agricultural land back into native prairie. They have also created several shallow wetlands at Mskoda Sands Preserve, another section of the Illinois Kankakee Sands Preserve.

Illinois is host to one of the largest remaining concentrations of black oak savannas. Special care is taken to restore this endangered ecosystem back to its former glory. Currently 1,800 acres have been preserved, but Robert and his team are working diligently to raise this number.

To protect the oaks and other ecosystems at Kanakee Sands, Robert must ensure invasive species are removed. Phragmites, reed canary grass, sweet clover and aspen trees are all threatening the native life at Kankakee Sands. Robert and his staff control these pests with herbicide, mechanical removal and prescribed fire, a special interest of Robert’s.

Prescribed fires are essential to protecting the black oak savannas. Robert not only wants to guarantee the safety of the oaks, but also wants to see his team work together. Prescribed fires bring him and his staff closer together and closer to reaching their conservation goals.

Today, when Robert Littiken feels sand slipping between his fingers he doesn’t just think of his childhood. He also sees the future of the land he is protecting today.

Robert Littiken

Kankakee Sands Project Manager

Read Robert Littiken's Full Biography

Read Robert Littiken's Full Biography

Read Robert Littiken's Full Biography