Steve Maidelski, a Fairview resident who runs Natchez Glen, told the Board of Commissioners on Nov. 20 that he has developed a curriculum and a hands-on 400-square-foot teaching garden intended as a pilot for Williamson County Schools. "This is a pilot program for Williamson County Schools that I've developed the curriculum for that meets state standards for science that is a teaching garden," Maidelski said during the meeting.

Maidelski outlined how the garden would be divided into four quadrants to teach concepts such as plant height, colors and habitats. He emphasized the use of local plant communities and noted that about 90% of the garden would be native Tennessee perennial plants, including the rare echinacea tenesiensis, which he said "grows only in Tennessee." He argued that native plantings perform differently and often better in heavy rainfall than turfgrass and can reduce stormwater impacts.

The presentation explained both educational and stewardship goals: students would learn local ecology, including that Fairview sits on a cedar glade and the Outer Nashville Basin, and the installation would demonstrate plant communities that stabilize soils and manage runoff. Maidelski also described his two decades of hands-on trial work, which informs plant selection for resilience and low maintenance.

Board members thanked Maidelski for the presentation and asked questions about location, partnerships and logistics. Mayor Anderson and several commissioners encouraged staff to explore how the project might partner with city programs; Commissioner Buffalini said the city might be able to use Maidelski's services in future projects. City manager Tom Doherty had no immediate official comment but said staff would review details before any formal action.

The presentation closed with Maidelski offering printed handouts to the board and expressing interest in working with schools and the city. The Board did not take action on the proposal at the meeting; commissioners praised the idea and signaled interest in follow-up.