The scientific community has been conducting research concerning desertification control and rehabilitation for several decades. Great attention has been paid to establishing communication systems to support flow of this information. At the same time little if anything has improved amongst communities faced with decreasing productivity of degraded lands. The results of scientific research are generally not accessible to or being used by those who are addressing desertification, e.g. communities, extension officers, policy makers and others not usually informed about the results of scientific research. A two-pronged approach is required. Researchers need to translate and indicate ways of applying results of their efforts. Communities and their support organisations need to establish platforms for accessing, interpreting and supporting application of research results. In addition, both groups have a responsibility to establish mechanisms to engage with policy makers concerning their results, needs and actions to address desertification control. The challenges of making these essential connections, with examples from Namibia, will be explored in this presentation.