A man who transformed the landscape around a Catholic youth retreat centre in Ilkley has been shortlisted for an Unsung National Hero by a national newspaper.

Francis McCrickard, who recently retired from the Myddelton Grange Centre, Langbar Road, is one of five people on the shortlist for the award, part of the Observer Ethical Awards.

The final winners will be announced at an event in London on June 13, dubbed The Green Oscars.

Mr McCrickard worked to sustain existing forestry and establish new woodland, hedgerows and a wildflower meadow in the area around surrounding Myddelton Grange.

Along with volunteers from school groups attending the centre, he planted more than 8,000 native hardwoods and established new hawthorn and dog rose hedgerows.

Hundreds of young people who have visited the centre have learned from him how important care for the environment is, and under his guidance, put that into practice by helping to plant, stake and protect the young trees during the winter months.

Mr McCrickard has involved the Forestry Commission and local Rotary and Round Table clubs to help finance this effort and Bradford Environmental Action Trust to provide practical assistance and guidance.

He also came up with the idea to transform a large area of neglected pasture close to the Centre into a wildflower meadow. This is mown the traditional way with scythes every year, to provide hay for a local farmer.

As well as nurturing wild grass and flower species, the meadow has become a haven for the burnet moth, and inspired Mr McCrickard to write a short story for children.

To draw attention to the importance of such work in the environment, he designed a “climate change walk” for the public which incorporates 11 stopping points, each featuring a board with local and global environmental information and spiritual reflections to encourage contemplation of the global reality of climate change.

The walk was officially opened in 2011 by Ilkley and Keighley MP, Kris Hopkins.

The winner of the award will be chosen by a public online vote, which closes tomorrow, Friday. To vote visit: guardian. co.uk/observer-ethical-awards/unsung-local-hero-shortlist.