Until three years ago, Annette Marr was a container-only flower girl.
Annette Marr, here with daughters, Abigail, left, and Eva, said the book “Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife” by David Mizejewski guided her garden transformation.
CHRIS MACHIAN, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Raising kids and different financial priorities meant her suburban yard looked like many others in her neighborhood near 180th and Q streets: Lots of grass with a few shrubs and day lilies.
But then the big butterfly fan started hearing about the threats facing monarchs. Habitat loss, pesticide and herbicide use and climate change are combining to cause significant population declines.
“It lit a fire in me,” she said.
And her property’s transformation began.
There’s still plenty of room to play soccer in the backyard, but now Marr has a big area for pollinators, too. She wants to share the message that every plot — no matter how small — can make a difference.
People are also reading…
A monarch caterpillar that Annette Marr found in her garden eats a milkweed leaf.
CHRIS MACHIAN, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
“We are doing something good,” she said. “We can see this beauty that normally would have just been grass. That’s meaningful. That’s doing something.”
Like many rookie gardeners, however, Marr had no idea where to start. A big planner, she went online and started searching for books about attracting butterflies.
After reading reviews of various publications, she landed on “Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife” by David Mizejewski. It’s published through the National Wildlife Federation.
“I learned a lot. I didn’t have any idea of the whole concept of native plants in gardening,” she said. “That was just a whole new term for me. I learned that these plants are adapted and from North America and it is the most beneficial plant to the local ecosystem and wildlife, which includes anything from the tiniest bug to mammals. To incorporate these plants for their survival.”
Annette Marr wishes that everyone would make room for a pollinator garden.
CHRIS MACHIAN, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
She now has five types of milkweed in her backyard, a host plant for monarch butterflies. In just three years, her garden has become a certified wildlife habitat and a monarch way station.
It hasn’t been an easy transformation. Just removing the sod to start garden beds was a big undertaking. Then she had to find a spot to buy the pollinator plants that are native to this area.
Midwest Natives Nursery in Lincoln and an annual sale at the Nebraska Extension in Douglas and Sarpy counties became her go-to sources. Because so many people want to plant more for pollinators, she’s hoping that local places will supply more to grow.
Even after all of her research about how and where to plant, many of her purchases had to be moved around to find their best home. Because she uses no pesticides, there’s a fair amount of weeding involved, too, which she calls a labor of love.
“Right now, my garden is basically done,” she said. “It’s 90 percent native. I have a few flowering vines. I do plant zinnias.”
A monarch butterfly sits on a zinnia. Annette Marr says 90% of her garden is filled with native species.
CHRIS MACHIAN, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
The best part, she said, is that her family, husband Jason and kids Abby and Eva are enjoying her efforts, too. Figuring out what caterpillar or bee is making an appearance on any given day is fun for all of them.
When Marr says her garden is done, she’s talking about the backyard plot, which most people don’t even know exists.
She’d like to tackle the front yard next.
“My garden is full of bees and butterflies. I wish everyone else would enjoy it like I do,” she said. “I just want the monarchs to survive.”
Top Journal Star photos and videos for August 2025
Nebraska’s Rebekah Allick, center, is embraced by Teraya Sigler, right, after the Huskers defeated Stanford on Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Allick was named match MVP.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Caeden Grant, a welding student from Valparaiso, works on a stick-welding project Thursday at Southeast Community College’s Welding Technology Center.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
The Partch family, from Benkleman—including 7-year-old Bella (right), 9-year-old Oakley (left) and their mother Katie (center)—cheer and holler as the Huskers warm up on Sunday as the Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Stanford Cardinal during an AVCA First Serve match at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. Nebraska took down Stanford 3-0.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
John Skrabal, president emeritus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Parent & Family Association, directs traffic Monday outside Memorial Stadium during move-in for UNL students, which goes through Wednesday. UNL launched a drive-through process on the east side of the stadium where students can pick up move-in swag and handouts before being routed to their dorms. Skrabal said the most gratifying part of move-in day for him was working with the parents themselves. “It’s really nice to be able to say, ‘We’ve been through it. You’re gonna be OK and there’s so much support here in the university community.’” More than 3,800 first-year and 1,600 returning students will move in this week.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Nebraska’s Rebekah Allick (5) and Nebraska’s Taylor Landfair (12) attempt a block against Pittsburgh’s Olivia Babcock (5) on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, as the Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Pittsburgh Panthers during an AVCA First Serve match at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. Nebraska won the match 3-1.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE,Journal Star
Eric Moyer embraces Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb during a campaign launch event on Thursday at Turbine Flats in Lincoln. Moyer, a Democrat, plans run against U.S. Rep. Mike Flood for his seat in Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Nebraska’s Skyler Pierce (21) laughs during the highlight reel with her teammates before the tunnel-entrance on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, as the Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Stanford Cardinal during an AVCA First Serve match at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. Nebraska took down Stanford 3-0.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE,Journal Star
Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, second-right, walks with Councilman Tom Beckius after a news conference to update the public on the 98th Street transmission main project Thursday along Holdrege Street near the intersection of Linwood Lane.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Emily Pietrzak of Omaha holds a sign outside the Governor’s Hearing Room on Tuesday at the state Capitol, where state officials announced plans to let the Trump administration use the Work Ethic Camp in McCook as an immigration detention center.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Lightning illuminates the sky behind the Nebraska State Capitol during the early morning hours of Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in Lincoln, Neb.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE,Journal Star
Bertha Mesarch, left, and her son Mark dump branches from their truck at a wood debris drop-off site outside Star City Shores on Monday. It’s one of six free drop-off sites offered by the city.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
John Skretta, interim superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools, is reflected in a mirror as he visits an art classroom at Adams Elementary School on Tuesday.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
High school juniors Chloe Wiese, from left, Elise Tassemeyer and Martin Owens go over class schedules with one another as students pick up material and find their classes and at Pius X Catholic High School on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA,Journal Star
Pickups and trailers circle around a growing pile of wood debris at the Star City Shores parking lot, where the city is accepting debris at no charge from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Aug. 24.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
James Stuart uses loppers to dismantle a tree collapsed in his yard on Surfside Drive after overnight storms on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Lincoln.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen speaks during a news conference Friday at Hawks Championship Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Kindergarten student Sham Al Zamel, left, colors a page on Tuesday in Emily Mujica’s class during the first day of school at Randolph Elementary School in Lincoln.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Nebraska’s Taylor Landfair (center) celebrates with Virginia Adriano (left) and Kenna Cogill on Aug. 9 during the annual Red-White scrimmage at the Devaney Sports Center.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star file photo
Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird was recently elected second vice president to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a position that puts her in line to be president in 2027. The organization advocates to the federal government on behalf of cities and, notably, she is only the second Lincoln mayor to serve in that position.
KENNETH FERRIERA,Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola retrieves his marker from 3-year-old Reggie Tucker, of Omaha, after she signed his namecard on Saturday during Nebraska Football Fan Day at Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE,Journal Star
Rodney Davis, head of government affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, speaks during the annual Federal Legislative Summit held at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Ashland.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
16-year-old Kendall Filipi of Tobias, left, dances with 16-year-old Jonny Kohout of Milford, with the senior division of the Wilber Czech Dancers on Saturday during the 64th Wilber Czech Festival in downtown Wilber. The pair estimates they’ve been dance partners for this festival for well over 10 years. “Ever since we were, like, in diapers,” Kohout said.
ARTHUR H. TRICKETT-WILE, Journal Star
Mike Yung Hans, right, holds up three fingers as he participates in a town hall hosted by 1st District Rep. Mike Flood on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Nebraska volleyball coach Dani Busboom Kelly laughs as she breaks down a huddle during a practice Thursday at the Devaney Sports Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Stay up-to-date on what’s happening
Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
Comments are closed.