Virgil Moore of Idaho has been selected as the new director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and is expected to start his new $94,284-a-year job on Aug. 1.

Moore, the chief of fisheries for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Moore, 54, has a national reputation for working with professional fish managers, both within the American Sportfishing Association and the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

A former high school biology teacher in Missouri, Moore earned a master of science degree in zoology from Idaho State University before joining the Idaho department in 1979.

Associated Press

TRAILS

Volunteers needed to clear routes

Two Spokane-based groups are recruiting volunteers to give back a little muscle power in return for the enjoyment they get from area trails.

Mount Spokane skiing and mountain biking routes in the nordic trail system will be maintained by the Selkirk Nordic Ski Education Foundation on July 29, Aug. 6 and Sept. 16.

For details, contact George Bryant, 838-1615, or Art Bookstrom, 624-9667.

Salmo-Priest Wilderness trails will get some TLC from Conservation Northwest, Backcountry Horsemen and Spokane Mountaineers during three weekend work parties with excellent group camping in the Colville National Forest, July 29-30, Sept. 2-4 and Sept. 9-10.

Contact Derrick Knowles for details, (509) 747-1663 or e-mail derrick@conservation nw.org.

Rich Landers

ENDANGERED SPECIES

Griz barely breeding in Cabinet Wilderness

A grizzly matriarch relocated to the Cabinet Mountains in 1992 has produced at least two surviving cubs that in turn have produced at least three grandchildren, recent DNA findings have confirmed.

However, maintaining a grizzly population in the island of northwestern Montana wilderness is not rife with success.

A radio-collared female grizzly relocated to the Cabinets last fall apparently has emerged from its den near Spar Lake without giving birth to cubs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials said last month. The bear, captured in the North Fork of the Flathead drainage, was the first grizzly transplanted into the Cabinets in 11 years.

Only about 15 grizzlies reside in the Cabinets. About 20-30 grizzlies are in the Yaak region, officials said.

Staff and wire reports