As researchers, we are often writing the next grant proposal whilst trying to complete our current project. This means that we have become attuned to one, three, or if we are lucky, five year funding cycles, with our work lives dominated by the constant quest for funding. It can be difficult then, to think about the legacy we want our research to have beyond the time when the immediate funding is spent. For science communicators and knowledge brokers it can be frustrating to see the wealth of research squandered due to inadequate time allocated to considering how research results are going to be meaningful, relevant and accessible to potential end-users. Those who are funding our work, (and it is generally through public funds), can quite rightly ask what is the point if the research we are undertaking is not making a difference? This presentation will discuss the science of how to communicate and influence with impact. Examples will be provided from Native Fish Recovery (www.finterest.com.au), Environmental Flows (flow-mer.org.au), On-ground riparian works (www.riversofcarbon.org.au) and River restoration (www.arrc.com.au) to demonstrate how we can bring together biophysical and social research to communicate with impact and demonstrate our research is making a difference. A current campaign – The Forgotten River – (www.theforgottenriver.org.au) will be used to show how we can then use our science to influence and effect National policy and regulatory change.