People tend to move more when they have inviting, safe places to walk. Those kinds of surroundings also help people stay motivated and connected with others, promoting sustained healthy habits, according to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) remains dedicated to delivering research-based education that supports healthier lifestyles across our communities. In that spirit, UF/IFAS  is bringing back the popular Let’s Walk Florida program for 2026, joining the celebration of National Nutrition Month this March.

The virtual walking and wellness program, which operates statewide, begins with an online kickoff event on March 5 from noon to 1 p.m. To keep groups moving and engaged, virtual weekly check-ins will take place from March 12 through April 15. A celebration event at the end of the series is set for April 23.

Let’s Walk Florida encourages participants to build healthier habits through weekly movement goals and science-based nutrition and wellness information. Participants can walk or exercise anywhere, track their progress online and connect with others who want to increase physical activity in daily life.

Jessica Alfonso-Rodriguez, a registered dietitian nutritionist with UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, will guide participants through each weekly session with science-based instruction and supportive coaching.

Program details:

• Launch date: March 5.
• Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
• Delivery: Virtual program through Zoom.
• Cost: $10 for the eight-week series.

Registration is available with this link. 

Weekly virtual check-ins are held from noon to 12:30 p.m. through Zoom on these dates:

• March 12
• March 19
• March 26
• April 2
• April 9
• April 15

Celebration Event: April 23 online at noon

Participants will receive:

• Weekly health guides and reminders to log walking minutes,
• A supportive virtual community for accountability and motivation,
• Weekly 30-minute online group check-ins with educational tips,
• A University of Florida Certificate of Completion for those who finish the program.

Cost is $10 for the full series.

Space is limited. After registering, participants will receive a welcome email from Alfonso-Rodriguez with Zoom access information.