Craig Pittman, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

A Tricolored Heron stands in shallow, watery terrain surrounded by green plants, showing its dark blue-gray feathers, white belly, and long yellow bill.

Sarasota Audubon Society saves bird sanctuary from nearby development

Property next to Celery Fields was targeted for development by the nation’s largest homebuilder.

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix November 6, 2025November 6, 2025

Sarasota Audubon Society has defended a bird sanctuary called the Celery Fields.

A weathered alligator skull lies among green marsh grass and reeds on the muddy shore of Lake Okeechobee under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Lake Okeechobee is the dirtiest lake in the US, report says

Those in the know, said the bad rating was dead-on.

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

Column: Somebody should DOGE the money wasted on Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix September 5, 2025September 5, 2025

To the DEP, protecting Florida springs is not as important as protecting politically powerful polluters

The big issue, once again, is what the DEP calls Basin Management Action Plans.

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix July 10, 2025August 25, 2025

‘Make Big Sugar’s Profits Healthy’: Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ contains ugly favor for Florida polluter

The feds already prop up our sugar industry with expensive government subsidies.

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix June 6, 2025July 22, 2025

Trump tries to expand offshore drilling off Florida’s Gulf coast

His efforts are likely to run into problems with the military, the oil industry, and even one of Trump’s prior executive orders.

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix January 30, 2025March 26, 2025

Dear Santa, please bring these gifts to help Florida’s environment

We need some help for our parks, springs, beaches, and bears — and send some Spirits to scare our leaders straight.

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix December 21, 2024March 4, 2025

Secret Florida water summit lets polluters talk to government without press or public present

U.S. Rep. Donalds convened the meeting but wouldn’t let in the people most affected by pollution and toxic algae blooms

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix September 5, 2024July 15, 2025

‘Nobody’s going to Honeymoon Island to play pickleball’: There’s not much time to fight plans to develop state parks

DeSantis wants to build golf courses and hotels in Florida’s state parks.

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix August 22, 2024June 25, 2025

Everyone talks about Florida’s conservation easements like they’re permanent, but they aren’t

They preserve land—until a developer needs it.

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix March 12, 2024July 13, 2025