A national organisation protecting more than 850,000 acres of heather moorland has appointed its first ever director.

The Moorland Association has brought a woman to the helm for the first time in its 29-year history, to replace its founding secretary.

Amanda Anderson, 42, of Austwick, will be looking after the interests of some of earth’s most fragile landscapes – along with the £67 million English grouse shooting industry.

The mother of two said: “I’m delighted to have been given this hugely important role. These are challenging times, not just for our organisation, but the countryside as a whole.”

Association chairman Robert Benson welcomed the appointment.

“Mrs Anderson is eminently qualified with expertise in grouse moor management, food, farming, environment and conservation. Her commitment, dedication and pragmatism made her the obvious choice,” he said.

Mrs Anderson, who has spent the past 14 years looking after the association’s communications through her own public relations company, said she had always been passionate about the organisation and its ideals.

“I fervently believe that careful management of heather moorlands, with grouse shooting as the lynchpin, can produce the best benefits for wildlife, landscape and local economies,” she said.

“This iconic land has safeguarded three quarters of the world’s remaining heather moorland and is a haven for exceptional and endangered species.

“The gains are enormous: water in the taps; vital ecosystems; essential habitats and the protection of remarkable flora and fauna.”

The new directorship reflects ballooning interest in moorland and peatlands through national and international wildlife and habitat designations, food security, climate change mitigation, flooding, water quality and supply.

“My work with MA continues to bridge the interests of our members’ 175 English and Welsh moors with government departments and agencies which set and regulate policies and targets for biodiversity and ecosystems,” added Mrs Anderson.

“This impacts hugely on our landowners, in whose hands true conservation rests. Sustainable goals can only be achieved if land managers are fully involved.

“The English grouse shooting industry provides vital income for conservation and supports over 1,500 jobs. This is a massive mandate and enormously exciting.”

One of the issues she will be looking at is how owners of grouse shooting moors can help protect the endangered hen harrier.

Last year, the hen harrier – whose natural habitat is grouse moors – failed to produce a single chick.

“I will be working closely with Defra, Natural England and other stakeholders to progress the holistic Hen Harrier Action Plan which seeks to address the breeding success of Hen Harrier in England,” she said.

“The plan includes special measures to ensure the impact of the bird of prey, once successfully breeding, does not then undermine the very habitat management that it requires."

Mrs Anderson will shadow secretary, Martin Gillibrand, until he retires in May.

The MA’s ambitious aims include seeing 250,000 further acres of heather moorland regenerated, boosting populations of important birds, plants and animals.

And according to Mrs Anderson it will help Britain reach its Biodiversity 2020 goals.

Mrs Anderson has a masters degree in aquaculture, honours degree in zoology, plus a further degree in post-16 education. She has also been countryside management course manager and lecturer at Lancashire’s Myerscough College.