Dying to be Heard tells the story of Michigan State University professor Dr. George J. Wallace, who discovered a link between DDT and dying birds on the MSU campus. His work was highlighted in Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring," which helped launch the modern environmental movement.

The film, produced by students and faculty in MSU's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, is based on MSU professor Jim Detjen's editorial "Breaking the 'Silence'" that appeared in the fall 2005 issue of EJ Magazine. It was picked up by all six PBS stations in Michigan and continues to be aired.