Jim Leach Oral History Transcript

Jim was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota.He graduated from college from the St. Cloud State University (MN) with a degree in Biology.It was there that he met and was deeply influenced by Professor Al Grewe.Dr. Grewe introduced Jim to wildlife biology and set him on a course to become a wildlife professional.Jim went to graduate school at the University of South Dakota where he studied swans and prairie waterfowl.   After graduating with a master’s degree n Wildlife Biology, Jim worked at Tamarac NWR and Agassiz NWR before taking a position in Washington DC in the Ecological Services Program where he worked on endangered species issues.He returned to Minnesota where he worked at the Area Office in St. Paul before taking a position in the newly formed Partners program office in the Ft. Snelling Regional Office (R3).   Jim moved to the newly formed Joint Venture program office where he started the Great Lakes Joint Venture.   He took a year and half loaned executive position at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency where he helped the State with wetland protection policies.Jim returned to the Regional Office as a Refuge Supervisor.In 2016 he retired from the US FWS and took the Wildlife Division Chief position at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource.   Jim retired from the State in 2020.