diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 7b920595c2..0000000000
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,37 +0,0 @@
-<!--- Provide a general summary of the issue in the Title above -->
-
-## Expected Behavior
-
-<!--- If you're describing a bug, tell us what should happen -->
-<!--- If you're suggesting a change/improvement, tell us how it should work -->
-
-## Current Behavior
-
-<!--- If describing a bug, tell us what happens instead of the expected behavior -->
-<!--- If suggesting a change/improvement, explain the difference from current behavior -->
-
-## Possible Solution
-
-<!--- Not obligatory, but suggest a fix/reason for the bug, -->
-<!--- or ideas how to implement the addition or change -->
-
-## Steps to Reproduce (for bugs)
-
-<!--- Provide a link to a live example, or an unambiguous set of steps to -->
-<!--- reproduce this bug. Include code to reproduce, if relevant -->
-1.
-2.
-3.
-4.
-
-## Context
-
-<!--- How has this issue affected you? What are you trying to accomplish? -->
-<!--- Providing context helps us come up with a solution that is most useful in the real world -->
-
-## Your Environment
-
-<!--- Include as many relevant details about the environment you experienced the bug in -->
-* Operating System and version:
-* Link to your project (optional):
-
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1935ff7ce7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+blank_issues_enabled: false
+contact_links:
+  - name: Report a bug or request a feature
+    url: https://github.com/projectcalico/calico/issues/new/choose
+    about: The operator is developed in the projectcalico/calico repository. Please file here.
+  - name: Ask a question
+    url: https://slack.projectcalico.org
+    about: Questions and discussion with the Calico community on Slack.
diff --git a/.github/workflows/sync-versions.yml b/.github/workflows/sync-versions.yml
index c5390ffa33..74ab5f1fd0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/sync-versions.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/sync-versions.yml
@@ -20,12 +20,12 @@ jobs:
       - name: Discover branches
         id: branches
         run: |
-          # Get master + the two most recent release branches (by semver).
+          # Get the two most recent release branches (by semver). master is not
+          # released from, so it is skipped.
           branches=$(gh api repos/${{ github.repository }}/branches --paginate --jq '
             [.[] | select(.name | test("^release-v[0-9]+\\.[0-9]+$")) | .name]
             | sort_by(ltrimstr("release-v") | split(".") | map(tonumber))
             | .[-2:]
-            | ["master"] + .
           ')
           echo "branches=${branches}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
         env:
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index abb70f088f..6c3ace3a2d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 [![Docker image](https://img.shields.io/badge/docker-quay.io%2Ftigera%2Foperator-blue)](https://quay.io/repository/tigera/operator)
 
+> **The operator is developed in [projectcalico/calico](https://github.com/projectcalico/calico/tree/master/operator).**
+> The `master` branch in this repository is no longer maintained. Bugs, feature requests, and pull requests go to projectcalico/calico. This repository still serves the `release-v1.41` through `release-v1.44` branches for the rest of their supported lives.
+
 This repository contains a Kubernetes operator which manages the lifecycle of a Calico or Calico Enterprise installation on Kubernetes or OpenShift. Its goal is
 to make installation, upgrades, and ongoing lifecycle management of Calico and Calico Enterprise as simple and reliable as possible.