Joshua's Trust

What Joshua's Trust does

Joshua's Trust (legally Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1966 and headquartered at the historic Atwood Farm in Mansfield Center, Connecticut. The organization conserves land of significant natural or historic interest in northeastern Connecticut, protecting more than 5,500 acres across sixteen towns in Windham and Tolland counties. Its core offerings are land conservation services, public trail access and maintenance, environmental education programs, and stewardship of three named heritage sites — the Gurleyville Grist Mill (the only surviving stone gristmill in Connecticut), the Atwood Farm headquarters, and the Mason's Mill Site. The organization has held nationally accredited land trust status from the Land Trust Alliance since 2011.

The organization operates as a community-led nonprofit with no traditional commercial revenue model. It is funded through individual donations, an annual membership program, land donations, planned giving and bequests, stock donations, and a portfolio of corporate sponsorships; it also relies on volunteer labor for trail maintenance, heritage-site tours, education, and stewardship activities. Distribution is entirely direct: public preserves and trails are freely accessible, heritage sites offer self-guided tours with downloadable maps, and event-based programming (tours, contemplative walks, community celebrations) is held on-site. The organization has no technology products, no mobile applications, and no API or AI/ML capabilities, reflecting the operational realities of a small regional land trust.

Its customers and beneficiaries are the residents of, and visitors to, the sixteen-town service area, plus donors, members, volunteers, and corporate sponsors who support the mission. Marketing is conducted through the organization's WordPress website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, monthly and seasonal newsletters, a blog, and word-of-mouth community referrals. Governance is via a Board of Directors and a small executive team led by Executive Director Christina Mailhos (appointed April 2026) and Stewardship Manager Alex DiMauro-D'Amico, with a Development & Communications Coordinator supporting fundraising. The organization is independent, with no parent company, subsidiaries, or institutional ownership.

Name

Joshua's Trust

Legal name

Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust

Website

https://joshuastrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Joshua's Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1966 that has conserved over 5,500 acres across sixteen towns in northeastern Connecticut, offering public preserves, trails, environmental education, and stewardship of historic heritage sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation and Historic Preservation Services (Nonprofit)

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

Keywords

• Land conservation
• Historic preservation
• Public trail access
• Nonprofit land trust
• Habitat stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Mansfield Center

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations from supporters who contribute to the conservation mission. Donations can be made through the organization's website and are described as essential to protecting land and preserving heritage.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership program offering different tiers for supporters to contribute regularly to the organization's conservation efforts.
3. Land Donation: Accepts donations of land property, which becomes part of the protected preserves portfolio.
4. Planned Giving: Bequest and planned giving programs allowing supporters to include Joshua's Trust in their estate planning.
5. Stock Donations: Accepts donations of stocks as a way for supporters to contribute to the organization.
6. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship program offering partner benefits and community exposure for businesses committed to maintaining the natural beauty of the community.
7. Volunteer Services: Volunteers donate time, skills, and expertise in areas including education, heritage site tours, stewardship, and trail maintenance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Joshua's Trust is a nonprofit land trust that protects and conserves natural and historic land in northeastern Connecticut, maintaining over 5,500 acres of preserves across sixteen towns with public walking trails. It operates and preserves three heritage sites — the Gurleyville Grist Mill (the only surviving stone gristmill in Connecticut), Atwood Farm (a 19th-century farm with a heirloom orchard), and Mason's Mill Site — and delivers environmental education events, volunteer stewardship programs, and structured donation, membership, and corporate sponsorship support.

Product overview

Joshua's Trust is a non-profit land trust organization offering a unified portfolio of conservation and heritage preservation services. The core offering consists of land conservation services (protecting over 5,500 acres across sixteen northeastern Connecticut towns), trail access and maintenance for public enjoyment, and stewardship programs. Heritage site management includes the Gurleyville Grist Mill (the only surviving stone gristmill in Connecticut), Atwood Farm headquarters (a 68-acre historic farm with heirloom orchard), and the Gurley-Mason Mill Site. The organization also provides environmental education programs and volunteer opportunities. Supporting services include donation, membership, and planned giving programs for community support of conservation efforts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Land Conservation Services Core nonprofit service protecting and conserving land in northeastern Connecticut; Joshua's Trust has preserved over 5,500 acres across sixteen towns since 1966, safeguarding open spaces, protecting and restoring habitats, and maintaining trails for public enjoyment.
• Trail Access and Maintenance Public walking trails maintained on multiple preserves, allowing the public to appreciate and enjoy conserved lands across Windham and Tolland counties in Connecticut at no admission fee.
• Gurleyville Grist Mill Heritage Site The only surviving stone gristmill in Connecticut, preserved by Joshua's Trust in 1979, offering tours and educational programs about 19th-century milling technology and local history.
• Atwood Farm Heritage Site A 68-acre historic farm bequeathed to the trust in 2012, serving as the organization's headquarters; features a 19th-century home, bank barn, blacksmith's shop, weaver's cottage, and an extensive heirloom fruit orchard with over twenty apple varieties.
• Mason's Mill Site (Gurley-Mason Mill Site) A 2.31-acre historic mill property in Mansfield preserved in 2000, featuring the site of a grist and saw mill built prior to 1778, with historical significance in riparian rights jurisprudence.
• Environmental Education Programs Public educational events including the Annual Community Maypole Celebration, guided tours, contemplative walks, hiking programs, and seasonal celebrations that foster appreciation for natural and cultural resources.
• Donation and Membership Programs Structured giving options supporting the conservation mission, including annual memberships, land donations, planned giving/bequests, stock donations, monthly giving, and tribute/memorial contributions.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Sponsorship program offering partner benefits and community exposure for businesses committed to maintaining the natural beauty of the community. Named sponsors include State Farm, Reservoir Financial, HST, Mansfield Supply, Henrietta House, Capitol Garage, Shenipsit Striders, and Nicabm.

Quantifiable outcome

• Protected over 5,500 acres of land
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• NicabmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Joshua's Trust, demonstrating commitment to future generations and community natural beauty.
• Mansfield SupplyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal corporate sponsor supporting Joshua's Trust conservation mission.
• Shenipsit StridersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal running/ hiking organization that sponsors Joshua's Trust.
• HST (Home Selling Team)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate team corporate sponsor of Joshua's Trust.
• Henrietta HouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric bed and breakfast that sponsors Joshua's Trust.
• Reservoir FinancialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial services firm corporate sponsor of Joshua's Trust.
• State Farm (Anthony Raggi SF)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance agency corporate sponsor of Joshua's Trust.
• Capitol GarageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive services corporate sponsor of Joshua's Trust.
• UConn (University of Connecticut)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partners with Joshua's Trust, including volunteer programs and educational activities. Professor Robert Thorson from UConn Earth Sciences presented at the 60th Annual Meeting.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Connecticut Forest & Park Association: A statewide Connecticut nonprofit that maintains a system of hiking trails and protected forestland. Operates with a similar nonprofit land conservation mission and public trail stewardship model.
• Aspetuck Land Trust: A Connecticut land trust protecting open space, farmland, and trails in western Connecticut with similar community-led conservation, public trail access, and donor-supported revenue model.
• Avalonia Land Conservancy: A southeastern Connecticut land conservancy preserving natural habitats and managing public preserves, with comparable scale and a similar volunteer-and-donation funding model.
• Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust: A Connecticut-based nonprofit land trust serving towns in Litchfield County with comparable acreage, volunteer-driven stewardship, and public trail access. Closest geographic and operational peer to Joshua's Trust.

Emerging players

• Northeast Wilderness Trust: A regional land trust focused on permanently protecting wild lands across the northeastern U.S. Comparable nonprofit land trust model with similar conservation easements approach.

Broad incumbents

• Connecticut Audubon Society: A larger statewide Connecticut nonprofit focused on bird conservation, habitat protection, and environmental education. Overlaps with Joshua's Trust on habitat preservation and education but operates at broader geographic scale.
• Trust for Public Land: A national nonprofit that protects land for public access and parks. Highly comparable mission of conservation easements and public-access land, but operating nationally rather than regionally.
• The Nature Conservancy (Connecticut): A global environmental nonprofit with Connecticut operations focused on land and water conservation. Comparable mission of permanent land protection but at vastly larger scale and endowment.

Regional players

• Mass Audubon: A large New England conservation nonprofit operating wildlife sanctuaries with trails and education programming in Massachusetts. Comparable sanctuary-and-education model, adjacent geography.
• The Last Green Valley: A National Heritage Corridor nonprofit spanning northeastern Connecticut and south-central Massachusetts — overlapping Joshua's Trust's service area with a broader regional conservation and heritage-preservation mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@joshuastrust2214
• Facebookfacebook.com/joshuastrust
• Instagraminstagram.com/joshuas_trust
• Xx.com/joshuastrust_

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Joshua's Trust