As of 2011, the Trust protects more than 5,000 acres, maintains 42 miles (68 km) of trails that are open to the public,[1] holds educational outreach programs,[2] and publishes the Joshua's Tract Walkbook.

Many of the towns in Mohegan territory, land north and east of New London, Groton and Stonington, owed their existence to grants from Uncas or his sons.

Joshua, the third son, in his will left his hunting grounds to "sixteen men of Norwich"; this included the then town of Windham, a tract nearly 10 miles square, and Mansfield.

This was followed by the Wolf Rock property, the Ashford Oak and others, including in 1978 the historic Gurleyville Gristmill and miller's cottage,[12] birthplace of Wilbur Cross, the 56th governor of Connecticut.

[15] After negotiating a 30-year lease and renovating the building, Joshua's Trust moved their operations to the former one-room schoolhouse at the corner of Routes 32 and 275 in Mansfield.

The Trust works with landowners by accepting and managing donated land, raising funds when a significant property is offered at reduced price, and by contributing to municipal open space or agricultural preservation efforts.

Joshua's Trust also works with landowners who want to protect their land with conservation easements, which are legal restrictions on a parcel's use based on the "bundle of sticks" approach, removing the right to develop the eased property.

Joshua's Trust offers workshops covering environmental stewardship issues of interest and concern, and works to encourage open space preservation and community involvement.