A Miami nonprofit has a win-win idea this holiday season: get a free Christmas tree and help the environment by cutting down invasive species.

What's happening: Urban Paradise Guild (UPG), which works to restore natural habitat around Miami, is inviting families this Sunday to saw down invasive Australian pines at Arch Creek East Environmental Preserve in North Miami and use them as Christmas trees.

Why it matters: Australian pines spread aggressively and drop needle-like leaves that smother native plants.

• The invasive trees also release "sap that can kill native plants or prevent seeds from germinating," UPG founder Sam Van Leer told Axios.
• Without native plants to feed on, much of our wildlife cannot survive.

Context: The Australian pine was introduced to Florida in the late 1800s because of its salt tolerance and ability to block winds, according to the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

• They've invaded thousands of acres of southeastern and southwestern coastal areas in the state, per FWC.
• It's particularly a problem for crocodiles and sea turtles, because the trees can grow close to water and have shallow root systems, which can interfere with the animals' ability to build coastal nests, the agency says.

Of note: It's illegal to possess an Australian pine in Florida with the intent to sell or plant it without a special permit.

What they're saying: Van Leer told Axios a volunteer gave the nonprofit the idea to use the invasive pines as Christmas trees.

• After the holiday, Van Leer said harvesters can return their trees to UPG, which will compost them.

Details: The tree harvest happens this Sunday, from 8-11am. Reservations are required. UPG can accommodate about 25 families.

• Bring a handsaw if you have one! (No chainsaws, please.)

A new restaurant from the same chef-owner team behind behind Michelin Star-wining Boia De is opening tonight in Little Haiti.

Driving the news: Walrus Rodeo is the latest addition to the unassuming Bravo supermarket shopping plaza that Boia De calls home.

• Jeff Maxfield — formerly of Toscana Divino, Ironside Pizza and LTD Café — will run the kitchen.

What stands out: Walrus Rodeo's menu centers around its wood-fired oven and includes items such as turnip salad, pizza with boquerones (anchovies), and lasagna with lamb ragù.

• A s'mores dessert made with churros and spiced chocolate is even cooked in the oven.

About that name: Luciana Giangrandi (who owns the restaurant with Alex Meyer) told Axios, "Rodeos are places for fun, gathering and celebration, and Walrus Rodeo is just a fun place!"

• She said it goes with the restaurant's iconography, "from country western wallpaper with punk rockers and surfers and our current sticker with a duck riding a skateboard."

While we're at it, Boia De is an Italian phrase meaning, essentially, "a nice surprise," Giangrandi once told CBS 4.

🚔 Miami Beach has agreed to pay $130,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a Black tourist who was elbowed in the face by an officer multiple times during a 2019 arrest. (Miami Herald)

🏙 Miami Mayor Francis Suarez took to Twitter to invite Elon Musk to move the social media company's HQ here.

💰 Future, the rapper, is reportedly buying a $7.5 million unit at Bentley Residences in Sunny Isles Beach — a project by Gil Dezer, the same developer who built the nearby Porsche Design Tower. (HipHopDx)

🤔 Using digital technology like that in "Pokémon Go," Colombian artist Camilo Restrepo prompted viewers to hunt for virtual baggies of cocaine around Art Basel. The project was meant as a meditation on the failure of the war on drugs. (Vice)

Quote du jour

"The basketball gods must be mad at us or something."

Of note: The injury-riddled Heat (11-14) have had a disappointing season and sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

• They play the Clippers tonight.

In Miami's melting pot, the World Cup is a local event.

What's happening: The tournament is down to the quarterfinals, with eight nations now competing for the world soccer title.

• If you want to root for your team with your compatriots, here are some spots where you can catch the upcoming matches.

🇧🇷🇭🇷 Brazil vs. Croatia (Friday, 10am): Brazilian fans can head to the restaurant Boteco in Miami (916 NE 79th St.) to cheer on Neymar and company with drink specials, TVs and projectors.

• Croatian fans can visit Rakija Lounge in South Beach (1131 Collins Ave.) to enjoy traditional Balkan food and drinks while you root on Luka Modric and the Croatian team.

🇦🇷🇳🇱 Argentina vs. Netherlands (Friday, 2pm): Argentine fans can support La Albiceleste while eating empanadas and traditional facturas at Manolo in North Beach (7300 Collins Ave.) or enjoy the game-day menu at Novecento (locations in Aventura, Key Biscayne, Brickell and Doral).

• South Florida's Dutch fans are gathering at Bokampers Bar and Grill in Plantation for the game. Sing "Hup Holland!" with the folks from the Netherlands Association of South Florida.

Go deeper: Where to watch Morocco vs. Portugal and England vs. France

Martin's thought bubble: I'll be at Manolo for the Argentina game, if you want to come say hi!

💼 Check out who's hiring now.

1. Sr. Communications Specialist at Next Era Energy.
2. Senior Specialist, Compliance Monitoring at Olympus.
3. Private Banking Relationship Manager (Sports & Entertainment) at First Horizon Bank.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

👋 Martin here: It's National Brownie Day, which means you have an excuse to treat yourself today.

Yesterday I got the 'smores brownie from Fireman Derek's in Wynwood.

• It combines all the richness of a chocolate brownie with gooey marshmallow and a graham cracker crust.