f you think stepping up for the environment is easy, then try tackling 1,776 stairway steps straight up to the top of one of the world's tallest freestanding structures.

Toronto's CN Tower, ascending 118 storeys - more than 1,800 feet - to the Lookout Level, is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The view from the Lookout is breathtaking.

The view from the bottom of the stairway is also breathtaking, if not daunting but Patricia Manning is always up for the challenge, especially when it's for a good cause: the environment.

Manning was one of 5,000 participants in the 21st Annual Canada Life CN Tower Climb for the World Wildlife Fund-Canada (WWF) on April 14.

"It's just mind over matter," says Manning, a Customer Service Representative for Turtle Island Recycling.

Manning's three teams, made up of 12 other Turtle Island co-workers and a friend, took part in the corporate walk for the WWF this past Saturday. Each member had to raise a minimum of $150 to participate.

"I'm so proud of everyone," she says. "They all came through."

WWF-Canada was founded in 1967 by Senator Alan MacNaughton, and has become one of the country's leading conservation organizations, enjoying the active support of more than 150,000 Canadians.

Manning, a long-time supporter of WWF, organized the company's three teams. This was her fifth year walking for the WWF cause and she took all the right steps to prepare, from raising money to getting in shape.

"I went around the offices saying to people, 'I want your money or your body climbing.' Everyone is very supportive here . . but once you explain it's for WWF, for climate change, and for animal habitats, then most people are usually quite willing to give."

Manning's team raised more than $4,000 this year, which improves on last year's total of $2,500.

As for physical preparations, she did a lot of walking along Toronto's Cherry Beach during her lunch hour as well as climbing up and down the 10 flights of stairs she has at home. She also spent a lot of time on the Elliptical among other things to keep in shape.

That doesn't mean, however, that walking the Mt. Everest of stairways was easy.

"At the top, all you're looking for is that bottle of water. You're not allowed water on the climb because it's hands free all the way. You're tired. Your legs are rubbery . . you just want a drink of water. Once you have that water, the adrenaline and endorphins kick in and it's an amazing feeling."

"You just climbed one of the tallest towers in the world. It's a good challenge and you just don't know your limits until you push yourself."

There is also a feeling of exhilaration and a sense of accomplishment for people who aren't so physically active:

"You say, 'if I can do that, I can do a 5 K walk.' It's easy. After the CN Tower, everything is easy."

Turtle Island's CEO, Louis Anagnostakos, also participated in this year's CN Tower walk, finishing with a time of 18:29, and colleague Carl Pratt finished with a time of 13:32 placing him 23rd out of 1,568 climbers. Last year Pratt finished with a time of 15:33. Manning finished at 34:28 but, as she says, times are secondary - the environment is the real winner here.

Manning wants to thank all her friends and co-workers who participated in this year's walk. Next year she's hoping to recruit even more walkers from the company.

"It's a great team-building exercise but it's also great for the community."