Forests have long been central to this area's history and to the people who first lived here, and the Anishinaabek continue to engage with northern Michigan's forests for their natural and cultural significance. The Forest Heritage Trail extends from North Higgins Lake State Park to Hartwick Pines State Park through a region where large stands of white pine were cut during the white pine logging era from 1860 to 1910, after which new stands of trees replaced the old growth forest. Early forestry work, including efforts by Dr. William J. Beal and at the Higgins Lake Nursery, helped lead to the regrowth of Michigan's forests, which now cover 20 million acres across public and private lands. These forests are managed sustainably so future Michiganders will continue to have abundant natural resources, and the trail connects places that reflect this history, including Higgins Lake Nursery, the CCC Museum, the W.J. Beal Tree Plantation, and Hartwick Pines State Park and Logging Museum.