Partnerships and Pathways

Headwaters Community Trust is working to acquire 200 Shadow Lake Road, a thirty-acre parcel in Greensboro that is owned by the Vermont Land Trust (VLT).

This parcel was a frequent topic of discussion in Community Housing Forum meetings hosted by the East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church, beginning in 2023. Forum participants recalled that future affordable housing development was part of the plan when VLT purchased Brassknocker Farm in 1987. A November 1988 item in the Sunday New York Times noted that VLT had set aside land for “clustered lower-cost units.”

It was unclear what had become of this plan, or if the parcel still held potential for affordable housing development. Much sleuthing by many determined members of the Community Housing Forum ultimately led to Dan Kilborn and Hannah Reiger at VLT. Hannah and Dan shared that over the years a number of organizations had explored creating housing there, but no plans moved forward. In 2012, VLT enrolled the land in current use, excluding a two-acre homesite.

Last year, the Greensboro Initiative of Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity commissioned perc tests, established that the homesite is buildable, and reached out to HCT to explore collaboration. Beginning in January 2026, Hannah Reiger facilitated a series of meetings among potential partners aimed at finding a way to benefit both the human and natural communities around 200 Shadow Lake Road.

In April (as reported in this HCT newsletter), Hannah and Dan hosted a walk of the land for representatives from Greensboro Land Trust, Headwaters Community Trust, Greensboro Community Trust, and the Greensboro Initiative of Habitat for Humanity.

200 Shadow Lake Road includes both a buildable homesite and important conservation features: a high-priority wildlife corridor, a vernal pool (pictured above), and a large wetland complex

Having set an intention to convey 200 Shadow Lake Road to a community-based organization that will find and navigate the best path forward for the property, VLT offered the parcel to Headwaters.

Headwaters is now carrying out its due diligence: consulting with attorneys, budgeting for acquisition and holding costs, and testing our internal gift acceptance checklist. This exciting opportunity is also serving as a case study to help Headwaters develop its ability to evaluate and respond to future offerings. Throughout this process, Vermont Land Trust has been a trusted mentor, as Hannah and her colleagues have patiently offered feedback and guidance to the Headwaters board.

If Headwaters becomes the steward of this parcel, there will be many opportunities to explore ways to balance housing and conservation values in our communities as we consider both the past and the future of 200 Shadow Lake Road.

Learn More about Brassknocker Farm and Vermont Land Trust

On August 20, the J. W. Simpson Memorial Library in East Craftsbury will host Brassknocker Farm: Fifty Years of a Vermont Land Trust Easement. Follow the link for details.

Sterling College Update

As reported in our mid-July update, Headwaters has submitted a competitive proposal to acquire the Sterling property. While we await the Sterling trustees’ response, please visit the Headwaters website’s new Sterling campus page for essential background.

Community Support Comes in Many Forms

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As a new 501(c)3 nonprofit, Headwaters relies on gifts and grants to support our work. Donations in any amount help us to continue building a community-led organization that can respond to needs and opportunities as they arise. Click here to donate, and thank you!

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Our mission:

To care for our neighbors and strengthen our communities by creating permanently affordable homes and access to community-owned land.