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Somers
is part of a fascinating Australian
coastal
environment that has evolved over eons
Its natural plant
and
animal
life
form the distinctive
landscape
character and
quality
that makes the area so attractive. Somers’ impressive Coastal
Banksia ,
She Oak and Manna Gum
woodlands
shelter magnificent
wildflowers and unique
wildlife.
Bush
walking tracks wind through the Reserve and echidnas and koalas are
frequently sighted. Please keep your dog on a lead
and clean up any droppings
Open
sunny
areas with
many
varieties of
indigenous grasses and sedges provide
ideal shelter for wildflowers and habitat for small indigenous
creatures.
With the support of the Envirofund,
low-growing
grassy heath
is being
re-established on the Somers Foreshore,
linking the
significant remnant
areas of
She Oaks
(Allocasuarina verticillata).
Walk along the winding path sponsored by
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and
observe
changes
in each season, increase your
knowledge and understanding of the unique
ecology of
Western Port. Enjoy the view and
listen to the bird song.
The
restoration of
the Foreshore Reserve owes
a great deal to the Australian Government’s
Envirofund and to the
Department of
Sustainability and Environment
as well as to the dedicated
volunteer
workers who meet each month regardless of weather.
Somers
Foreshore Reserve is part of an almost continuous strip of land
that rings and protects the coastline of Victoria. The
Reserve is home to many indigenous
animals including Koalas, Echidnas, Swamp Rats, Bats, Sugar
Gliders, Ringtail and Brush tail Possums as well as snakes,
lizards, many
butterflies and other amazing insects and many, many bird.
The
Reserve also
protects a variety of indigenous flora ranging
from
large
Manna Gums, She Oaks and Coastal Banksias to tiny and delicate
grass lilies and orchids.
Somers Foreshore Reserve is managed by a Committee of Management
appointed by the Minister for Lands.
The committee members
are
all volunteers
and rely heavily on a small band of loyal volunteer workers who
come to Working Bees
on the third Sunday of each month, meeting at 9am in the top car
park
opposite the Somers
General Store.
We would love you to come and lend a hand. Your contribution will
make an enormous difference to the Reserve and to the Somers
community. 
Even if you are unable to contribute with physical work
you
are always
very welcome
to join the committee members and the volunteers
at 11.30 am, after each Working Bee, for morning tea and a chat and
to find out what is happening on
the Reserve. Your moral support will be greatly valued.
The committee’s
management of the Reserve is dedicated to restoring
and protecting
the valuable natural assets for present
and future generations.
The Committee is not funded by DSE but has a small income from the
rental of the site of the Somers Yacht Club. The income
is
used to pay
for water for the public toilets, electricity and to
maintain
all the Reserve’s
assets
To fund major work on the Reserve the committee must apply for
grants.
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