HARMONY — A nonprofit organization originally intended to operate a recycling program is changing its name and seeking new projects.

CHZ, which earned its 501c3 tax-exempt status in 2012, originally had representatives from Zelienople, Harmony and Cranberry Township, plus lawyer Wes Hamilton.

Its original goal was to create the CHZ Composting and Education Center in Jackson Township on property owned by Zelienople that has two decommissioned reservoirs.

However, the group’s plans fell apart in 2013, and it had to turn down a $250,000 grant from the state.

But since its members already established its tax-exempt status, they decided not to dissolve the organization but rather to reorganize it.

In late 2014, the three municipalities voted to change its name and board. The plan is to rename it the Scholar’s Run Conservancy.

It still has representation from Zelienople and Harmony, but Cranberry decided to withdraw.

The new board president is former Harmony borough council President Jim Hulings. Representing Zelienople are borough manager Don Pepe and resident Tom Nesbitt. Dave Szakelyhidi represents Harmony Borough council.

The organization’s name change paperwork has yet to be completed with the state, but it plans to start working on projects this spring, Hulings said.

“It’s going to be an environmental conservancy type of an organization. We will work with local leaders, work on trails, anything to do with the environment,” he said.

The group may revisit an old plan to create a nature trail that would circle Harmony and Zelienople. There are several existing trails in the area and a new trail, built and maintained by volunteers, could connect them, he said.

The reservoir property where the educational center was supposed to be built is still owned by Zelienople, but it is not being used, Pepe said.

The future of the property, whether it is put up for sale or used for something, is up to borough council, he said.

If a new nature trail were to use that property, something would need to be done about the reservoirs, which are essentially large holes and could be safety issues, he said.

Whether it’s a trail or another venture, the goal of the organization is to do something that would benefit the community.

“Its been our desire to have something valuable to do with that entity,” Pepe said.

Cranberry manager Jerry Andree said the township pulled out of the group to allow the representatives from Zelienople and Harmony determine its future and seek projects in their communities.

“We were sort of the third party looking in. We saw ourselves as a potential user,” Andree said.