Columbus Junction has been chosen as one of seven Iowa communities to participate in the Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program in 2025. This award-winning program integrates technical landscape planning and design techniques with sustainable community action to assist community leaders and volunteers in making sound and meaningful decisions about the local landscape. The Community Visioning Program, spearheaded by a coalition including Iowa State University and Trees Forever, has been aiding small Iowa communities since 1996. By fostering collaborative planning, it helps enhance walkability, accessibility, and environmental sustainability in our neighborhoods. Targeting towns with under 10,000 residents, the program fills a crucial gap in resources and expertise, empowering communities to undertake projects they wouldn’t otherwise manage. With 258 communities participating and impressive completion rates—98% accomplishing at least one project and 50% completing four or more—the impact is clear. Notably, 75% of these projects are locally funded, demonstrating grassroots commitment, while additional support from state programs further fuels their success, with over $27 million received between 1996 and 2021 from various sources.