diff --git a/.github/release-please.yml b/.github/release-please.yml
index 893d1405bf..42bf1c67e8 100644
--- a/.github/release-please.yml
+++ b/.github/release-please.yml
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@ bumpMinorPreMajor: true
 handleGHRelease: true
 releaseType: java-yoshi
 branches:
-    - branch: java7
-    - branch: protobuf-4.x-rc
-      manifest: true
+  - branch: java7
+  - branch: protobuf-4.x-rc
+    manifest: true
+  - bumpMinorPreMajor: true
+    handleGHRelease: true
+    releaseType: java-backport
+    branch: 3.36.x
diff --git a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
index 2fd98aad18..81c1a896c2 100644
--- a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
+++ b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
@@ -38,6 +38,26 @@ branchProtectionRules:
       - units (11)
       - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration'
       - cla/google
+  - pattern: 3.36.x
+    isAdminEnforced: true
+    requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
+    requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
+    requiresStrictStatusChecks: false
+    requiredStatusCheckContexts:
+      - dependencies (17)
+      - lint
+      - clirr
+      - units (8)
+      - units (11)
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration'
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration Against Named DB'
+      - cla/google
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Java GraalVM Native Image A'
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Java GraalVM Native Image B'
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Java GraalVM Native Image C'
+      - javadoc
+      - library_generation
+      - unmanaged_dependency_check
 permissionRules:
   - team: yoshi-admins
     permission: admin