28 May 2026
Gail Hering – Head Gardener, Seward Park, Seattle (USA)
"The keystone of Seward Park." That is how colleagues describe Gail Hering, the inaugural winner of the Green Flag Award International Employee of the Year. For 26 years, Gail has been the driving force behind the maintenance and ecological evolution of Seward Park, a 270-acre peninsula of old-growth forest and specialty gardens reaching into Seattle’s Lake Washington.
Balancing beauty and biodiversity
Maintaining a regional park as highly used as Seward is a monumental task. Gail manages a diverse landscape that includes:
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A 2.4-mile outer loop walking path that must be kept safe and clear
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Over a dozen ornamental plant beds requiring meticulous pruning, weeding and irrigation
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The transition zones between developed recreation areas and 120 acres of ancient forest.
The primary challenge lies in the balance: Gail must manage the daily pressures of peak-season crowds, litter and special events while simultaneously performing high-level horticultural work that aligns with modern nature-based solutions.
The native plant demonstration garden
While Gail is celebrated for her stunning entrance beds, her crowning achievement is the Native Plant Demonstration Garden at the Seward Park Audubon Center.
Developed in partnership with Audubon Washington, this garden serves as a ‘living laboratory.’ It demonstrates to the public how native species — like the Red Flowering Currant and Western Trillium — can be used to create beautiful, managed landscapes that provide vital habitat.
"This garden is the integration of all that Seattle Parks and Recreation stands for — biodiversity, recreation and education." - [Name, Position]
The impact:
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Wildlife restoration: The success of the garden is demonstrated by its visitors; a Pileated Woodpecker now returns annually to feast on Tall Oregon Grape berries, marking a seamless transition between the garden and the adjacent old-growth forest.
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Public education: Through interpretive signage and Gail’s ‘artful’ maintenance, visitors learn how to implement similar biodiversity-friendly landscapes in their own backyards.
A leader in nature-based solutions
Gail’s inspiration has extended beyond the boundaries of Seward Park. As Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) leans into international commitments like the C40 Cities Urban Nature Accelerator, Gail has become the department’s ‘go-to’ expert.
Her longevity and independent work ethic have allowed her to help shape the city's Native Plant Policy. She bridges the gap between traditional gardening and ecosystem restoration, proving that city parks can be both aesthetic masterpieces and functional wildlife corridors.
The power of partnership
Gail embodies the spirit of collaboration. Whether she is coordinating with the Urban Forestry Team, supervising seasonal labourers or partnering with community groups like Friends of Seward Park and the Seward Park Clay Studio, her approach is rooted in the belief that there is ‘no 'I' in team.’
Through her steady hand and unwavering dedication, Gail Herring has not only helped Seward Park earn its Green Flag Award but has created a global blueprint for the modern park professional.
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