The revised version of Nature Reserves of Warrnambool and District is a guide to places where the last remnants of the once diverse and prolific native flora can still be found.

While compiling the booklet, author John Hargreaves visited all the locations featured and said some were intriguing.

While there are large high-profile reserves featured, most are small and many are obscure. "We changed it so the focus is on remnant plants," Mr Hargreaves said. "Plants that have been here before we altered the landscape. They are real natural heritage."

Australian Plants Society Warrnambool and District branch vice president and booklet project manager Kevin Sparrow said residents would be surprised the region boasted so many reserves. "We're surprised," he said. 

"There's a map in the middle. It covers an area from Peterborough and Budj Bim, which is Mount Eccles, up north as far as Penshurst. There's quite a lot of reserves when you look at it," Mr Sparrow sa

Reserves are listed alphabetically, except when grouped in under a precinct heading such as Warrnambool or Port Fairy environs and a map of the reserves.

Areas featured include the Bay of Islands Coastal Park, Childers Cove, Budj Bim National Park, The Crags Coastal Reserve, Ellerslie bridge and cemetery, Framlingham Forest, Francis Tozer Memorial Reserve, Lake Gillear, Mepunga Water Reserve, Naringal East Picnic Reserve, Orford Sports Ground reserve and Yambuk Lakes and wetlands to name a few. 

Each entry includes a description of the reserve's flora and some notes on the native animals, geology, local history and cultural heritage. There are also details about its location, how to get there and the basic site facilities.

Common names for plants are used in the entries and locations are given in latitude and longitude using the decimal degree format. 

Australian Plants Society Warrnambool and District branch president Dorothy Mattner said it was an important resource for the region. 

"A lot of people are familiar with Childers Cove, Tower Hill and Ralph Illidge sanctuary but there's a lot of other ones in there," she said. 

"I think we lead busy lives so it's good if we can find the time to take a thermos and enjoy a walk around the bush. Some of them are more significant in fauna and flora than others but they're all very interesting in their own way. Having the map you open it up and there it is in front of you. You can choose which direction you want to go.

"We keep ours in the glove box and it's handy. We need to encourage people to fill their thermos and go for a look."

The trio invited members of the public to attend Friday's free event which includes refreshments and a copy of the booklet.

It will be launched by Warrnambool City councillor David Owen at the Mozart Hall on Friday at 8pm and includes a presentation by Mr Hargreaves about the beauty of the Belfast Coastal Reserve.

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