Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability

The Rachel Carson Distinguished Lecture Series is a platform for prominent scientists and scholars to share their ideas about global challenges and opportunities with MSU students, faculty and staff members, and the general public. 

The series honors one of the founders of the contemporary environmental movement and author of the seminal book “Silent Spring.” The book’s title was the result of research and documentation by George Wallace MSU ornithologist and colleague of Rachel Carson, and one of his graduate students, John Mehner, who studied robin populations. Their work revealed that thousands of robins had died because of the use of pesticides.

Carson's work as an educator, scientist and writer revolutionized America’s interest in environmental issues. Whether it was her passion for the oceans and coasts, her inspiration as one of the first female scientists and government leaders, or her overall footprint on the history of conservation, her legacy is certainly one to be honored and celebrated.

The lecture series is organized by the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability; the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife with support from the National Science Foundation; the Office of the President; the Office of the Provost; the Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies; the Graduate School; the Environmental Science and Policy Program; the College of Agricultural and Natural Resources; MSU AgBioResearch; the Center for Water Sciences; the Sustainable Michigan Endowed Project; the Science, Technology, Environment, and Public Policy Specialization; and the Elton R. Smith Endowment.