Sarah Trafton is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media officials in the town of Cairo are considering the best way to manage the oldest fossil forest in the world. The forest was discovered in 2019, in a quarry located behind the Cairo Highway Department. The team from Binghamton University found the root system of trees thought to be 385 million years age, dating back to the Devonian Age, predating a fossilized forest in Gilboa by 2 to 3 million years. Cairo Town Board member Jason Watts November 2, discussed having the two-acre property appraised. “For the amount of money we would sell it for, we probably wouldn’t have to have land taxes in the town of Cairo if we managed the money properly,” Watts said. “We could build a community center, actually put a courthouse in. We would actually be able to do a lot more stuff.” Town Supervisor John Coyne is not interested in selling the property; he is looking to secure the site as an educational resource. Board member Mary-Jo Cords said she would like to see the property appraised and possibly sold. She shares Watts' concerns about funding. “We don’t really have the money to protect it the way it needs to be protected,” she said. “It would be better for the use of the site if somebody that had the money purchased it.” Town officials met with Assemblymember Chris Tague and representatives of the state Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department to discuss funding for the site. The board also enlisted the help of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties, the supervisor said. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.