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CORVALLIS, Ore. – The 2009 recession has hit the Oregon forest sector especially hard, but now those working in that sector have a new resource that guides them with the click of a mouse to government stimulus programs.

Oregon State University's Extension Forestry and Natural Resources program has developed a Web site to help people access federal stimulus funds and other opportunities.

The Web site, " Tough Times in the Woods," contains links to several funding opportunities for forest businesses and projects, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009 and Oregon's strategy for funding projects.

Among the information available on the Web site are links to accessing cost-share funds for private landowners, bidding for funded projects, identifying carbon and biofuel markets, and marketing through the Oregon Wood Innovation Center.

"Although the forestry sector has seen its share of economic ups and downs over the years, the 2009 recession is proving to be extra volatile," said Jim Johnson, who leads the OSU Extension Forestry and Natural Resources program.

"To help, we've put together this list of Web sites to show how federal stimulus funds are making their way into the forests of Oregon and how these funds will translate into projects and jobs on the ground," Johnson said.

The Web site is at: http://owic.oregonstate.edu/tough-times/

This new Web site also links to a site developed by OSU Extension with health and social service resources available to people in need. That link leads to information about filing for unemployment, finding a job, avoiding foreclosure and applying for food stamps.