MEDIA ADVISORY: WWF's CN Tower Climb for Nature is happening this weekend

Heated Rivalry's Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova and Harrison Browne are among the 6,000 people who will climb the CN Tower to conserve Canadian nature and wildlife

TORONTO, May 1, 2026 /CNW/ - Thousands of people will be conquering the CN Tower's 1,776 steps this weekend as part of the 34th annual WWF CN Tower Climb for Nature. WWF-Canada and climbers are aiming to once again raise more than $1.5 million to restore and protect habitats for Canada's most iconic and at-risk species.

There's still time to join. Though Saturday's climb is sold out, nature lovers in the GTA and beyond can still register to climb on Sunday at wwf.ca/cntower and save 25 per cent on their registration fee using the code SUN25.

Lexie Ward, FMG Pro Champion and head coach of an online health and fitness company for women, was WWF-Canada's fastest female climber in 2023. She’s returning to the CN Tower and pushing to set a new personal best up those 1,776 steps. (CNW Group/World Wildlife Fund Canada)

Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova will climb the CN Tower for Canadian wildlife (including the Canadian wolf bird, aka the loon). (CNW Group/World Wildlife Fund Canada)

Harrison Browne, photographed by Michael J. Ng. The author, filmmaker, first trans pro hockey player and Heated Rivalry star is climbing the CN Tower to help protect ice beyond the rink — in the Arctic where habitats are heating up three times faster than the rest of the world. (CNW Group/World Wildlife Fund Canada)

Tyler Kruschenske, 6x fastest climber, at the CN Tower Climb for Nature finish line. (CNW Group/World Wildlife Fund Canada)

Lianne Gravitis will be climbing for the 19th time next weekend. (CNW Group/World Wildlife Fund Canada)

Would you like to cover the event? We will do our best to accommodate interviews throughout the weekend. For a photo-op or interview with a specific climber, or to have a reporter do the CN Tower Climb, please contact WWF-Canada to arrange in advance.

WHERE: CN Tower

WHO:

• Megan Leslie, WWF-Canada president and CEO
• Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova: the Heated Rivalry actress is climbing to protect the habitats of Canadian species, like the loon.
• Harrison Browne: the author, filmmaker, first trans pro hockey player and Heated Rivalry star is climbing the CN Tower to help protect ice beyond the rink -- in the Arctic where habitats are heating up three times faster than the rest of the world.
• Nearly 6,000 other climbers from ages 13 to 92, including a pet care pro climbing for the 19th time, a winged architect climbing for the 33rd time, a FMG Pro Champion and 2023 fastest female climber, a father-son duo climbing for the 17th and 10th times, and a Deadpool fan climbing for wolverines.
• See more inspiring climber stories here.

 WHEN: Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3

SATURDAY, May 2

• 5:30 a.m. Media desk opens in lobby of the CN Tower
• 6 a.m. Climbers start up the tower
• 7 a.m. Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova and Harrison Browne from Heated Rivalry climb the CN Tower. Available for media interviews and photos at the top of the CN Tower at ~7:45 a.m. To arrange photo-ops before the climb, or at the start and finish line, please contact WWF-Canada.
• 8 a.m. Megan Leslie climbs the CN Tower
• 8 a.m. Cody Moynes and Team SOSA climb the CN Tower
• 9:30 a.m. Last climber enters the CN Tower

 SUNDAY, MAY 3

• 5:30 a.m. Media desk opens at the base of CN Tower
• 6 – 6:15 a.m. Elite Climb Challenge: competitive climbers will vie for the fastest time up the CN Tower. Winners will be available for interviews at the top until 7 a.m. The fastest climber presentation takes place in the MTCC, Hall A at 7:30 a.m.
• 6:15 – 9:30 a.m. Individual climbers start up the tower
• 9:30 a.m. Last climber enters the tower

 STORYTELLING OPPORTUNITIES:

• Capture the energy and stories of thousands of climbers, from 13 to 92, as they come together to climb Canada's tallest landmark for nature and wildlife.
• Gather breathtaking visuals and soundbites from the CN Tower's Main Observation Level. Document the moment climbers victoriously reach the finish line, volunteers cheering them on, and teams celebrating at the top with WWF's panda mascot.
• Interview interesting and inspirational climbers of all abilities and ages against the city backdrop -- whether they're racing for the fastest time, climbing in honour of someone, celebrating a milestone birthday.
• During such a heavy news moment, the WWF CN Tower Climb for Nature provides a refreshingly positive story about people challenging themselves to help conserve nature in Canada.
• Have a reporter do the CN Tower Climb for Nature! While cameras are not allowed in the main stairwell, you can film at the start and finish lines.

Please note that all media will be required to sign a security waiver available at the media desk in the base of the tower.

WWF-Canada's most significant fundraising event is made possible by the generous support of national sponsor, Aviso.

About the WWF Climb for Nature

The WWF Climb for Nature raises more than $1.5 million annually to restore and protect the habitats of Canada's most iconic and at-risk species from the snowy owl and monarch butterfly to southern resident killer whales and barren-ground caribou. The Climb for Nature started at the CN Tower in 1991 and has grown to include events at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and an Anywhere Climb for Nature.

About World Wildlife Fund Canada 
WWF-Canada is committed to equitable and effective conservation actions that restore nature, reverse wildlife loss and fight climate change. We draw on scientific analysis and Indigenous guidance to ensure all our efforts connect to a single goal: a future where wildlife, nature and people thrive. For more information visit wwf.ca.

SOURCE World Wildlife Fund Canada

For further information: Emily Vandermeer, senior media relations specialist, [email protected], 519-616-1556