Oregon Forest Resources Institute has launched a new website aimed at reaching the public.

"The new site does a terrific job of delivering information to the public about Oregon's forests, forest management and wood products, while also giving them information they can use to experience and learn about forests firsthand," said Paul Barnum, executive director of the institute.

Visitors to OregonForests.org can download publications, watch videos and learn about forest management techniques. The site's "Ask a Forester" feature allows visitors to get answers from experts.

The genesis of the website can be traced to a consultant's finding that the institute's previous site "did a good job of reaching the forest sector, but a poor job of reaching the general public," Barnum said.

The site is one of three new websites created by the institute. The institute also is launching a site for teachers -- LearnForests.org -- and plans to launch a site for forest landowners later this year, KnowYourForest.org .

OFRI was created in 1991 by the Oregon Legislature to improve public understanding of the state's forests and encourage environmentally sound forest management through landowner education. Governed by a 13-member board, the institute is funded by a dedicated tax on timber harvests.

--Mitch Lies