Small Roofs, Big Impact w. Mike Chavez - The Boston Green Roof Bus Shelter Initiative - Episode 6

To learn more watch our  video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRcWrTimiEk 

In this episode, Trevor reconnects with long-time friend and collaborator Mike Chavez—an architect, community organizer, and co-founder of Social Impact Collective, whose work tackles systemic inequities through creative design and workforce development. Together, they peel back the layers of the Green Roof Bus Shelter Initiative in Boston, a decade-in-the-making project that transformed 30 bus stops into micro-powerhouses of sustainability. 

Mike shares candid reflections on the trials, and  triumphs behind this public-private collaboration—from navigating red tape to the lessons learned in fabrication. You’ll hear why this “small potatoes” project is anything but, how much stormwater a single roof can capture, and why YouthBuild Boston was a non-negotiable partner in the installation. 

They dive into questions like:
 🌱 Why do public-private partnerships matter for climate resilience?
 🛠 What would Mike redesign in the institutional process?
 📊 What data could help this story take root nationwide? 

We also explore Mike’s origin story with nature (spoiler: it might just involve Trevor), and how green space continues to shape his bold urban visions—from Minnesota farmland to Boston rooftops. 

This is a conversation about building up—and digging deeper. 

Follow along as we uncover what’s next for Green Roof Boston and how to get involved in reshaping cities, one roof at a time.