Bee on the Lookout! A Hidden Adventure Has Landed in Wildwood

Looking for a fun way to get outside and explore Wildwood before summer comes to an end? The fifth annual Greenway Quest Scavenger Hunt is underway, and one of the featured locations is Wildwood's Western Greenway!

Hosted by Great Rivers Greenway in partnership with the Saint Louis Zoo, this free community adventure invites participants to search for hand-painted rocks hidden along greenways throughout the St. Louis region. This year's rocks are designed to resemble four species of native bumblebees found in Missouri:

• American Bumblebee
• Brown-Belted Bumblebee
• Two-Spotted Bumblebee
• The endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee (with only two rocks hidden in the entire hunt!)

Hundreds of rocks have been hidden along more than 140 miles of greenways across St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County. If you're exploring the Western Greenway in Wildwood, keep your eyes open; you might just discover one of these colorful treasures.

How It Works
If you find a bee rock, you can take it home and log your find through the Greenway Quest Bee Log. Participants who register their rock are eligible for prize drawings that include Zoo Adventure Passes and other Greenway-themed goodies.

A few tips from the organizers:

• Rocks are hidden near trailheads or along the edges of greenways.
• They are never placed on private property.
• If you happen to find multiple rocks, consider taking just one so others can enjoy the experience too.
• There are no rocks hidden at the Saint Louis Zoo itself.

More Than a Scavenger Hunt
Beyond the excitement of finding a hidden rock, Greenway Quest is also a chance to learn about native pollinators and the important role they play in our environment. The Greenway Quest website includes fascinating facts about each bee species and highlights conservation efforts happening throughout our region.

Whether you're walking, biking, or simply enjoying some fresh air, this is a great excuse to explore Wildwood's beautiful greenway system while learning something new along the way.

Happy hunting and good luck finding one of those rare Rusty Patched Bumblebee rocks! 🐝