The Wisconsin Tree Identification Endowment Fund was established by 21st Century Committee for "The Native Tree Project-Irvine Park" to sponsor indigenous trees and have permanent granite markers provide pertinent information about the species.

A generous grant from the Fred R. Bowe Memorial Fund, through the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, enabled the committee for the 21st Century to begin this project. It is supported by individual donors in the community.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recognizes 52 trees as native to the state. This project was started in 2005 to locate each species in Irvine Park, transplant additional specimens into the park, and place identifying marker near each species.

"It was a long time coming," shared Don Bichner, one of the founding fund members. "There were a lot of folks that really were the driving force in creating this fund." Interest remained strong and funding continued to come in following the success of the original project creating the need for a permanent endowment.

As a designated fund, annual grants will be distributed to the Chippewa Falls Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department earmarked for the purchase and permanent Identification of Indigenous trees of Wisconsin found in Irvine Park and the associated expenses related to the upkeep and enhancement of the trail.