A major challenge in linking conservation science and policy is deciding how, and when, to offer relevant science to decision-makers to have the greatest impact on decisions. This chapter argues it is a question of alignment – of selecting the right knowledge to address the needs of decision-makers, ensuring that knowledge is accessible to them, and articulating it within their decision-making processes. The chapter describes three mechanisms to enhance this alignment: decision support tools; active knowledge exchange mechanisms; and large-scale scientific assessments. For each, we provide examples and draw out guidelines regarding circumstances in which the mechanism is likely to be most effective. No single mechanism is consistently best at aligning evidence with policy and practice. Each has strengths and weaknesses, and can be applied in different circumstances and at different scales. The chapter ends with a call for these mechanisms that link synthesised evidence with policy and practice decisions to be funded sufficiently, alongside environmental research, to enable adherence to core values of salience, legitimacy, credibility and transparency.