Maple Creek Ranch – A Century of Stewardship in Cohasset, California
The Hall family’s roots in Cohasset trace back to 1905. In 1934, Donald Sorenson—born and raised in Cohasset—purchased 524 acres of forestland that would later be named Maple Creek Ranch, after the creek whose headwaters begin on the property. At the time of purchase, the land had previously been logged in the mid-1800s (1850 and 1860), and large-scale timber operations did not resume until 1950. Logging activities continued intermittently through 2016, as the family adapted to fluctuating timber markets.

In 1953, the property was designated California Pine Tree Farm #472. It hosts two artesian springs and approximately one mile of Mud Creek, a perennial stream. The land also contains several historic sites and documented Native American artifacts. A unique chapter in the ranch’s history began in the early 1960s when Donald, an avid train enthusiast, commissioned the construction of a miniature steam train and laid one mile of 18-inch gauge track—known today as the Maple Creek and Eastern.
After Donald’s passing in 1994, his daughter Donna Hall and husband Brian continued to steward the land, preserving both its ecological and historical character. Forester Jim Chapin led a CFIP project in 2002 and helped guide the family with multiple EQIP grants. In addition to forest work, Donald’s grand nephew, Jon Coffman, has maintained and upgraded the Maple Creek and Eastern line to this day.
In 2015, Donald’s granddaughter Kristin Ward and her husband Ron Ward moved to the ranch. They met Jim Chapin who was lining up a small-scale logging project. From 2016 through 2025, they partnered with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to implement multiple Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) grants focused on forest thinning, erosion control, and overall forest health.

Additional collaborations followed:

• In 2019, the Butte County Fire Safe Council (BCFSC) engaged Ron to support broader forest management goals across Cohasset.
• The Butte County Resource Conservation District (RCD) helped prepare key portions of the property for prescribed burning through its Prescribed Burn Association (PBA).

Together, these efforts led to:

• Thinning of 190 acres via EQIP using hand crews and mastication.
• Treatment of 170 acres via BCFSC using mastication, hand thinning, and chipper crews.
• Prescribed burns across 64 acres along the western slope of Mud Creek Canyon.

These proactive measures helped build fire resilience not only for Maple Creek Ranch but also for the surrounding Cohasset community.

In July 2024, the Park Fire swept through Cohasset and burned approximately 70% of Maple Creek Ranch. As the fire advanced up Mud Creek Canyon, it transitioned from a crowning fire to a low-intensity ground fire upon reaching areas that had been thinned or treated with prescribed burns. Although the fire caused significant tree mortality, none of the adjacent properties experienced fire damage—a testament to the landscape-scale impact of the ranch’s forest management strategy.
In the aftermath of the fire, Ron collaborated once again with the NRCS, BCFSC, and RCD to leverage existing grant support. Within weeks, Licensed Timber Operator Jared Pew began salvage logging—not for profit, but to prepare the land for reforestation. To date, 245 acres have been logged and cleaned for recovery.

To continue restoration, Ron and Kristin applied for a CAL FIRE CFIP grant to conduct herbicide treatment and replanting across the logged acres. This reforestation effort is scheduled to begin in September 2025.

Agenda
10:00am-10:30am
Meet at the pond/reception area for overview of Maple Creek Ranch and Tree Farm - Past and Future projects

10:30am-10:45am
BCFSC overview of projects and future work in Cohasset

10:45am-11:00am
Dallas Koller, Fire Program Manager: RCID Overview of Prescribed Fire and Effects

11:00am-11:15am
Sarah Jo McDowell, BCFSC Manager: Goat Grazing on the Maple Creek Ranch and Butte County

11:15am-11:30am
Jason Finney, CalFire Chief: An Overview of the Park Fire

11:30am-11:45am
Dan Kelleher, FireStorm: How the Main Home and Other Structures Were Saved with an Effective Fire Sprinkler System

11:45am-12:45pm
Lunch at the Pond with a Demonstration of Fire Sprinkler System

12:45pm-2:00pm
Tour of Maple Creek Ranch

Health Protocols
While we are no longer in the thick of the pandemic, we respectfully remind participants that if you are not feeling well, we ask that you stay home. The FLC liability waiver has been updated to include release of liability related to COVID and other infectious diseases.

Lunch
Lunch and water will be provided.

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Address

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Contact Information

Event Flyer

Online Registration

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Cost

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Lodging Information

Best Western 
Heritage Inn – Chico
25 Heritage Lane
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 894-8600

Motel 6 – Chico
665 Manzanita Court
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 345-5500

Town House Motel – Chico
2231 Esplanade
Chico, CA 95926
(530) 343-1621

Questions
Deidre Bryant, Executive Director
(877) 326-3778 | info@forestlandowners.org