diff --git a/docs/source/index.rst b/docs/source/index.rst
index 69e9eea..c712de9 100644
--- a/docs/source/index.rst
+++ b/docs/source/index.rst
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ The *babelizer* is an element of the `CSDMS Workbench`_,
 an integrated system of software tools, technologies, and standards
 for building and coupling models.
 
+.. _user-guide:
+
 User Guide
 ==========
 
diff --git a/news/100.doc b/news/100.doc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..00c1c2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/100.doc
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+
+Simplified the project README file, moving much of its content into the
+:ref:`user-guide` of the documentation.