Mystic — Maggie Jones, executive director of the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, has been appointed to the Important Bird Areas Advisory Committee by Gov. Dannel Malloy, the nature center announced Friday. 

The governor announced the creation of the committee last year. The panel of experts will serve as an advisory committee to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on the creation of an Important Bird Area Program that will include identification and recognition of critical bird habitats and the promotion of bird conservation in the state, the nature center said in a news release.

“It is an honor to be part of such a dynamic team of leaders in wildlife, conservation and education from around the state,” Jones said. “Birds are important to the ecology of our forests, fields, coastal and wetland habitats and this advisory committee has the breadth of expertise to help develop strategies that will help DEEP address a range of avian and related conservation issues.”

Jones has been executive director of the nature center for 23 years. She holds a degree in botany from Connecticut College, where she also studied Birds and Landscape Ecology. She continues to pursue her interests in research projects, land preservation, educational field trips and is an active member of the Connecticut Ornithological Association, Connecticut Botanical Society and local land trusts, the nature center said.