PITTSBORO--Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) recently received a one-year grant to promote education opportunities in the areas of land conservation and land preservation for the general community and elected officials in Chatham County.

Support for this project, approximately $40,000, has been provided by the Save Our Undeveloped Lands (SOUL) Fund of the Triangle Community Foundation.

This grant has provided funding for the position of a part-time land preservation and conservation coordinator, who will work closely with the continuing education and sustainable programs at CCCC in order to achieve the grant objectives. Thomas H. Glendinning has accepted the coordinator position. Glendinning is a Chatham County resident, who has years of experience in the business of farming, waste management and administration.

"We are pleased that Tom has accepted this new and challenging role," said CCCC continuing education director Sandra McMahon.

As coordinator, Glendinning's immediate task will be to conduct research and to gather information from relevant groups regarding work already underway in these particular program areas. He will then work with CCCC in order to develop responsive educational opportunities related to land conservation and preservation with a particular focus on Chatham County.

Glendinning will also help incorporate these educational components into existing sustainable programs at CCCC and coordinate quarterly workshops on these topics in order to ensure the longevity of public education on these issues. Additionally, he will develop a long-term plan containing solid proposals for action. This plan will be designed to promote the overall goals of sustainability and land preservation.