Mystic — The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center announced Monday that longtime executive director Maggie Jones will no longer oversee the organization and will instead serve as its executive director emeritus.

Taking over as executive director will be Davnet Conway Schaffer, the center’s senior director of operations and its preschool director.

Jones said Monday night that her departure was the decision of the center's Board of Trustees and part of a restructuring effort.

"The organization was looking for new leadership and a skill set I apparently lacked," she said.

Jones said said a "complex situation" that developed over many months preceded her departure.

During her 27 years leading the center, Jones has expanded the center's building, membership, exhibits, programs, community outreach, events such as the Wild Mushroom Festival and started a nature-based preschool and summer camp while caring for numerous injured and stranded animals.

The biggest addition to the center came in 2013 when center officials and their supporters raised the money needed to acquire the 34-acre Coogan Farm on Route 27.

The land has now been turned into the Coogan Farm Nature and Heritage Center, where there are additional programs, events and public hiking trails. The acquisition also ensured the preservation of a major parcel of open space and wildlife habitat along busy Route 27.

The farm’s Giving Garden also donates several tons of fresh produce a year to the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut’s Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Bank, which then distributes it to thousands of needy residents in New London County.

"I've had a good long run in a wonderful organization and it will continue to thrive," she said.

In announcing the change of leadership, Hilary Hardaway, the president of the center’s Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude for Jones’ dedication to the center’s mission and the critical role she has played in its growth and success.

“Her passion for our region’s nature and wildlife and teaching others has helped the Center grow and connect with the community. Maggie has seen the Nature Center through many changes, including the acquisition and transformation of Coogan Farm. Maggie’s contributions to the region and the state of Connecticut cannot be overstated,” Hardaway said.

Jones, who is a birding and wildlife expert, said she is not retiring and will remain in the area.

"I feel like I have a lot of work to do pursuing my interests in conservation, history and education,"she said, adding that she has no immediate plans.

Conway Schaffer, who has worked at the center for 17 years, said in the announcement that she looks forward to continuing its mission with its strong team of administrators, educators, and animal curators.

“I have had the privilege of working with Maggie and the staff at DPNC for more than 17 years, collaborating and developing some of DPNC’s most beloved programs including creation of the nature-based preschool,” Schaffer said in the center’s announcement. “We are all grateful for what we were able to learn from Maggie and I look forward to the future, with her legacy serving as a foundation for the Nature Center to continue to grow, providing the connection to nature for our community.”

j.wojtas@theday.com