diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.txt b/CONTRIBUTING.txt
index 202210a1..837dca2a 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.txt
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.txt
@@ -77,6 +77,12 @@ For a more detailed discussion, read these :doc:`detailed documents
       Travis fails, you can find out why by clicking on the "failed" icon (red
       cross) and inspecting the build and test log.
 
+5. Document changes
+
+    Before merging your commits, you must add a description of your changes
+    to the release notes of the upcoming version in
+    ``doc/release/release_dev.txt``.
+
 .. note::
 
    To reviewers: if it is not obvious, add a short explanation of what a branch
@@ -85,7 +91,7 @@ For a more detailed discussion, read these :doc:`detailed documents
 
 
 Divergence between ``upstream master`` and your feature branch
-..............................................................
+--------------------------------------------------------------
 
 Do *not* ever merge the main branch into yours. If GitHub indicates that the
 branch of your Pull Request can no longer be merged automatically, rebase
diff --git a/RELEASE.txt b/RELEASE.txt
index b56b5bb8..de90a580 100644
--- a/RELEASE.txt
+++ b/RELEASE.txt
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@ How to make a new release of ``skimage``
   - To show a list of contributors and changes, run
     ``doc/release/contribs.py <tag of prev release>``.
 
+  - Review and cleanup ``doc/release/release_dev.txt``, rename to
+    ``doc/release/release_X.txt``, and create new
+    ``doc/release/release_dev.txt``.
+
 - Update the version number in ``setup.py`` and ``bento.info`` and commit
 
 - Update the docs:
diff --git a/doc/release/release_dev.txt b/doc/release/release_dev.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1123eb77
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/release/release_dev.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+Announcement: scikit-image 0.X.0
+================================
+
+We're happy to announce the release of scikit-image v0.X.0!
+
+scikit-image is an image processing toolbox for SciPy that includes algorithms
+for segmentation, geometric transformations, color space manipulation,
+analysis, filtering, morphology, feature detection, and more.
+
+For more information, examples, and documentation, please visit our website:
+
+http://scikit-image.org
+
+
+New Features
+------------
+
+
+
+
+Improvements
+------------
+
+
+
+
+API Changes
+-----------
+
+
+
+
+Deprecations
+------------
+
+
diff --git a/doc/release/release_template.txt b/doc/release/release_template.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1123eb77
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/release/release_template.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+Announcement: scikit-image 0.X.0
+================================
+
+We're happy to announce the release of scikit-image v0.X.0!
+
+scikit-image is an image processing toolbox for SciPy that includes algorithms
+for segmentation, geometric transformations, color space manipulation,
+analysis, filtering, morphology, feature detection, and more.
+
+For more information, examples, and documentation, please visit our website:
+
+http://scikit-image.org
+
+
+New Features
+------------
+
+
+
+
+Improvements
+------------
+
+
+
+
+API Changes
+-----------
+
+
+
+
+Deprecations
+------------
+
+