GAYLORD — Two public meetings will be held in northern Michigan next month to gather input on the state Department of Natural Resource's 2006 state forest management plan.

The sessions are set for Aug. 16 at the Best Western Alpine Lodge in Gaylord, and Aug. 17 at McGuire's Resort in Cadillac. Both run from 6:30-9 p.m. and are part of six public input sessions the DNR is conducting around the state.

"Because forest management touches on many aspects of the ecosystem, from fisheries to wildlife to human uses, it is important that a good cross-section of interested persons attend and voice their views on the plan," said Lynne Boyd, chief of the DNR's Forest, Mineral and Fire Management division.

Following the public meetings there's a "stakeholder" meeting in Lansing on Aug. 23 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Lansing Center. Persons can also submit comments online to dnr-2006sfmp@michigan.gov. The draft plan can be viewed at the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.