Protecting threatened and endangered species has become increasingly important under accelerating environmental and land use changes. Among the greatest threats to biodiversity are habitat loss and fragmentation, which can be mitigated with  restoration and habitat management. Here we focus on the case of Concord Pine Bush habitat in Concord, New Hampshire, which is characterized by low-growth pine trees and exposed sandy soil. This unique habitat covers 223 ha of northeastern North America and supports 26 species of greatest conservation need, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis). Larvae of the Karner blue butterfly feed obligately on wild blue lupine (Lupinus perennis), thus protection requires not only consideration of the ecology of the butterfly, but also of its sole food plant. We compared the management practices of burning, herbicide, and mowing on fitness metrics of  lupine plants and lupine habitat suitability. We asked (1) what management practices increase lupine fitness metrics, including abundance, size, and reproduction? and (2) how do management practices alter lupine habitat properties, including duff depth, supporting vegetation, and ground cover?  The number of flowering stems was significantly lower when treated with herbicide versus when mowed and under control conditions. Average duff depth was found to be significantly greater under herbicide and burn conditions versus under mow and burn conditions. The mean percent of fern species cover was significantly less when treated with one burn and the treatments herbicide and burn and mow and burn. Understanding management practices that increase the number of flowering stems is vital for larval health and development of the Karner blue butterfly. Additionally, characterizing the conditions in which less duff is present may be used to maintain the habitat structure of exposed sandy soil. Finally, identifying conditions that impact competitors of L. perennis can be utilized in management decisions. Our results demonstrate the impacts of management practices on L. perennis fitness metrics and important habitat properties present in the Concord Pine Bush. These findings may have important implications on the successful recovery of the Karner Blue butterfly.